Popscorn » Sandra Bullock http://www.popscornweekly.com a salty look at movies from a couple of seasoned critics, Kevin Powers and Tim Plant Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:13:58 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 2009 Golden Rasberry (Razzie) “Winners” http://www.popscornweekly.com/2010/03/2009-golden-rasberry-razzie-winners/ http://www.popscornweekly.com/2010/03/2009-golden-rasberry-razzie-winners/#comments Sun, 07 Mar 2010 14:14:40 +0000 Kevin Powers http://www.popscornweekly.com/?p=2627 Razzie for Worst Actress of 2009 for All About Steve. She also won for Worst Screen Couple (with Bradley Cooper). And remarkably, as we all know, she's up for an Oscar this evening for her lead role in the The Blind Side. Can you imagine if she were to win tonight and take home awards for best and worst actress of 2009? That would be stunning.]]> Even more reason to love Sandra Bullock. In the included video clip, she accepts her Razzie for Worst Actress of 2009 for All About Steve. She also won for Worst Screen Couple (with Bradley Cooper). And remarkably, as we all know, she’s up for an Oscar this evening for her lead role in the The Blind Side. Can you imagine if she were to win tonight and take home awards for best and worst actress of 2009? That would be stunning.



Worst Picture of 2009:
Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen
(Aka Trannies, Too)

Worst Actress of 2009:
Sandra Bullock
ALL ABOUT STEVE

Worst Actor(s) of 2009:
All Three Jonas Brothers
JONAS BROTHERS: THE 3-D CONCERT EXPERIENCE

Worst Screen Couple:
Sandra Bullock & Bradley Cooper
ALL ABOUT STEVE

Worst Supporting Actress:
Sienna Miller
G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA

Worst Supporting Actor:
Billy Ray Cyrus
HANNAH MONTANA: THE MOVIE

Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-off or Sequel
(Combined Category for 2009):
LAND OF THE LOST

Worst Director:
Michael Bay
TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN (AKA TRANNIES, TOO)

Worst Screenplay:
Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen
WRITTEN BY EHREN KRUGER & ROBERTO ORCI & ALEX KURTZMAN

]]> http://www.popscornweekly.com/2010/03/2009-golden-rasberry-razzie-winners/feed/ 0 Gamer & All About Steve http://www.popscornweekly.com/2009/09/gamer-and-all-about-steve/ http://www.popscornweekly.com/2009/09/gamer-and-all-about-steve/#comments Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:55:24 +0000 Kevin Powers http://www.popscornweekly.com/?p=1738 Gamer and All About Steve are worth the cost of admission this weekend. You and us both. You see, Tim and I have a little confession to make. We're not some powerhouse outlet drawing millions in advertising that allows us to lay back waiting for the next screening. Obviously, you would think that, right? We have day jobs, other commitments and hustle our pretty little asses off to make Popscorn a site you want to visit every week. So when an upcoming film screens just once at 10:30AM and the other doesn't at all, you can see how bringing you an informative, appropriately salty look at that movie would be problematic. Instead, here's an uninformed and overly salty opinion of these two illusive films we couldn't see (and probably won't).]]> gamer
You might wonder if Gamer and All About Steve are worth the cost of admission this weekend. You and us both. You see, Tim and I have a little confession to make. We’re not some powerhouse outlet drawing millions in advertising that allows us to lay back waiting for the next screening. Obviously, you would think that, right? We have day jobs, other commitments and hustle our pretty little asses off to make Popscorn a site you want to visit every week. So when an upcoming film screens just once at 10:30AM and the other doesn’t at all, you can see how bringing you an informative, appropriately salty look at that movie would be problematic. Instead, here’s an uninformed and overly salty opinion of these two illusive films we couldn’t see (and probably won’t).

Gamer

When I put the question out on Twitter if other folks had screened Gamer, or been privy to details leading up to its release, I knew something smelled funny. Despite the allure of leading man Gerard Butler and an inviting action story (not to mention the intrigue of seeing Michael C. Hall outside of “Dexter“), Gamer slid below the radar in the DC market. No screening, and not even a mention on the distribution list of local publicists. It seems Lionsgate knew something about the Mark Neveldine (Crank)-directed film that most didn’t (or didn’t expect): that you can’t judge the film by its cover, but Gamer actually fails. Disappointing, to be sure. And with 9 reviews in and slowly counting (obviously), Gamer sits at 22% on Rotten Tomatoes. What are the chances it falls from there?
Firefox

All About Steve

I barely even knew this film was being released, until I saw notice of a single, early-morning screening about a week ago. Unlike Gamer, All About Steve looked like rom-com rubbish from the beginning. While Sandra Bullock pulled off starring opposite Ryan Reynolds in The Proposal, her attempt in All About Steve with hot-guy-of-the-moment, Bradley Cooper, looks positively painful. The trailer shows Bullock bouncing around in gaudy red boots and frosted tips like a spinster with a learning disability. And with 50 reviews in, All About Steve sits at just a 2% rating.
Firefox

So to answer the original question, it looks like both films don’t deserve your money this weekend. Go see District 9 again, or possibly check-out Extract.

]]> http://www.popscornweekly.com/2009/09/gamer-and-all-about-steve/feed/ 0 The Proposal http://www.popscornweekly.com/2009/06/the-proposal/ http://www.popscornweekly.com/2009/06/the-proposal/#comments Sat, 20 Jun 2009 12:32:50 +0000 Kevin Powers http://www.popscornweekly.com/?p=789 Sandra Bullock) and Andrew (Ryan Reynolds) don't have that luxury in Anne Fletcher (27 Dresses)-directed The Proposal, and a botched path to the altar means means one must leave the country -- to the liberal netherworld of Canada. Theirs is a sham proposal, for sure; but the matter isn't without a surprising degree of emotion. Like global warming kissing the Alaskan snow, your heart may reluctantly melt a little watching the matrimonial meanderings of Bullock and Reynolds. Solid writing and a genuine, convivial dynamic between the pair turns the otherwise artificial affair into an unusually enjoyable romantic comedy.]]> Proposals for marriage are most always heavily orchestrated affairs. Despite considerable planning and meticulous execution, something usually goes awry. But what’s a fumbled word or an impatient fiance-to-be when you have love to fall back on? Margaret (Sandra Bullock) and Andrew (Ryan Reynolds) don’t have that luxury in Anne Fletcher (27 Dresses)-directed The Proposal, and a botched path to the altar means means one must leave the country — to the liberal netherworld of Canada. Theirs is a sham proposal, for sure; but the matter isn’t without a surprising degree of emotion. Like global warming kissing the Alaskan snow, your heart may reluctantly melt a little watching the matrimonial meanderings of Bullock and Reynolds. Solid writing and a genuine, convivial dynamic between the pair turns the otherwise artificial affair into an unusually enjoyable romantic comedy.

You wouldn’t expect that from the film’s start, however. Bullock puts on her best Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep‘s character from The Devil Wears Prada) as Margaret Tate, a high-powered publishing executive who is often referenced in hushed, fearful phrases by her staff as “It’s here” or “The witch is on her broom.” Try as she might, Bullock is certainly no Streep in this role; though Reynolds, as her attractive, coffee-getting assistant, full of hope and grounded in humble, is a bit closer to Anne Hathaway‘s Andy Sachs. The Proposal starts off in a familiar vein, but quickly (and thankfully) takes a unique turn when Margaret requests/demands Andrew marry her so she can stay in the country. To keep an overly confident immigration agent at bay (Denis O’Hare), the pair must travel to Andrew’s hometown in Alaska to visit his grandmother (Betty White) on her birthday.

With tangerine Birkin in tow, Margaret and Andrew head north (way north) to convince relatives of their engagement. Bullock’s city-girl-meets-nature shtick isn’t anything new; of course she has difficulty walking on natural surfaces in 5″ heals; and she obviously over packs for the rustic setting. But when Margaret refuses to get in the water taxi because she “can’t swim” to which Andrew replies, “thus, the boat,” there’s something surprisingly damn funny about it. White’s Tourettes-like behavior has also been seen before, but it never gets old. The Proposal manages to keep your attention, which is an impressive feat considering the formulaic framework. Even when Andrew’s overly hot, hometown ex-girlfriend (Malin Akerman) comes into focus, the film carves a unique path and avoids hitting a wall of cliche.

What truly makes The Proposal an amusing engagement is the interplay between Bullock and Reynolds. The two simply make a great match, and have a naturally funny delivery that will keep you smiling. Or titillated, considering one scene involving a nude collision, or Reynolds describing the dangers of platonic spooning first thing in the morning. But I challenge anyone not to chuckle when Bullock breaks out dancing in awkward white-girl fashion to “Get Low;” and mouths, “till the sweat drop down my balls.” Reynolds’ endearing, humorous response illustrates the distinctive equation of the film that makes it a worthwhile viewing. Even if some of us are allergic to “an entire spectrum of human emotion.”

]]> http://www.popscornweekly.com/2009/06/the-proposal/feed/ 3