Russell Brand Files for Divorce from Katy Perry

Russell Brand has filed for divorce from Katy Perry after a year of marriage.

Brand, who filed for divorce in Los Angeles on Friday, cited irreconcilable differences.

“Sadly, Katy and I are ending our marriage,” he said in a statement. “I’ll always adore her and I know we’ll remain friends.”

Recently, the pair have been spotted without their wedding rings and spent the holidays apart.

Perry was in Hawaii while Brand spent time in the U.K.

Edited: December 30th, 2011

DVD Review: Switched at Birth

Switched at Birth is a show like no other.

It has an interesting plot, engaging cast and mixes comedy and drama into each captivating episode. But most importantly, episode after episode does not disappoint and leaves you clinging for more.

The show follows two families who are deeply affected by a mix-up at the hospital where their daughters were born.

Both girls, Bay Kennish (Vanessa Morano) and Daphne Vasquez (Katie Leclerc) were switched at birth and raised by two families who are polar opposites.

Bay and her brother were raised in a family who lives in a wealthy neighborhood, while Daphne, who lost her hearing at a young age, was raised by a single mother and Puerto Rican grandmother at a not-so-safe neighborhood.

The first episode starts off with Bay finding with her blood type in school and learning that it does not match her parents. She takes a genetic test where the truth comes out. When the two families meet for the first time they realize all the similarities and differences between each other .

The season continues with the hardships and difficulties of both families trying to bring out the best of a not-so-good situation.

The show really builds on character development, which makes it more enticing to watch.

For those that are fans of ABC Family – myself very much included – Switched at Birth is not one to miss.

Edited: December 30th, 2011

DVD Review: Midnight in Paris

Midnight in Paris is Woody Allen at his best – quirky, funny and overall entertaining.

The film is different than what Allen has done in the past years, but different in a good way.

Midnight in Paris follows Gil (Owen Wilson), a screenwriter who’s having a hard time finishing his novel.

Gil is in Paris with his fiancée Inez (Rachel McAdams), who pays more attention to her friend Paul (Michael Sheen) then she does Gil.

One night, Gil wanders the streets of Paris at midnight and a vintage motor carriage comes and offers him a ride to a party. At the party, Gil finds himself in the presence of F. Scott Fitzgerald, his wife Zelda and Cole Porter.

After realizing that he’s in somehow been transported to the 1920s, Gil takes a midnight stroll every night and socializes with Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway and Gertrude Stein. Things become complicated when he falls for Adriana (Mario Cotillard), a costume designer, as well as a muse for Hemingway and Picasso.

Allen does a superb job of bridging the present with the past. He does for Paris what he has done for New York. The director brings out the liveliness and culture of the city of lights.

If getting people to book a trip to Paris the second they finish watching the film, then Woody has succeeded greatly.

Edited: December 28th, 2011

NYGossipGirl Exclusive Interview: Jonah Hill

NYGossipGirl recently caught up with Jonah Hill in New York.

The 28-year-old actor talked about Moneyball, whether he’s going to do more dramatic films and the status of Allen Gregory.

Check out the exclusive interview below!

NYGG: You have done so many comedic films, but you took more of a dramatic role with Moneyball this year. Are you looking to do more of these dramatic films?

JH: Yeah, I think Moneyball was the start of doing some more dramas and I’m really excited to get to do both kinds of films.

NYGG: You premiered Allen Gregory in New York a few weeks back and the show is a success. What’s the progress with it? Has it been picked up for a full season?

JH: We air our last episode in a couple of weeks and we don’t know if we we’re going to get some more episodes, but I hope we do.

NYGG: I love the show and I think it’s hilarious.

JH: I love it too. Hopefully, you’re going to see more of it soon.

Edited: December 27th, 2011

New Images from The Amazing Spider-Man

Although there is no official trailer for Marc Webb’s much-anticipated The Amazing Spider-Man film, Columbia Pictures is strengthening its marketing strategy for the film with new images.

The new stills capture Webb’s own version of the upcoming film and give us a glimpse of what to expect.

The film, which stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Martin Sheen and Sally Field opens in 3D on July 3, 2012.

For those unfamiliar, The Amazing Spider-Man follows teenager Peter Parker (Garfield) as he grapples with both human problems and amazing super-human crises.

Are you excited for the film? Sound off in the comments!

Edited: December 27th, 2011

First Look: Channing Tatum, Matthew McConaughey in Magic Mike

Check out the first official image that Warner Bros. released from its upcoming film Magic Mike.

The film, which is directed by Steven Soderbergh stars Matthew McConaughey, Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Matt Bomer, Joe Mangianello, Olivia Munn, Riley Keough, Cody Horn and Adam Rodriguez.

Magic Mike is actually based on Tatum’s real life experiences as a 19-year-old stripper.

“When Channing talked to me about this, I thought it was one of the best ideas I’d ever heard for a movie. I said I wanted in immediately. It’s sexy, funny and shocking. We’re usingSaturday Night Feveras our model, so hopefully we’re on the right track,” said Soderbergh.

Magic Mike is slated to hit theaters on June 29, 2012.

Hit the jump to see the full image!

(more…)

Edited: December 27th, 2011

Edward Burns Highlights New York Love In Newlyweds

Not every director can captivate an audience and portray a raw and honest version of what love is, instead of what others paint it to be. Many, especially, cannot do so on a budget of $9,000.

Filmmakers and writers like that are hard to come by, but in his sixth film to end up showing at the Tribeca Film Festival, actor, writer and director Edward Burns captures the essence of New York, as well as the ups and downs of a relationship, whether it’s a couple who has been married for 18 years or a pair of newlyweds who are still content in the moment.

Newlyweds follows Buzzy (Burns) and Katy (Caitlin Fitzgerald) who have previously been married before and who believe the second time’s the charm. The pair believe that the more time apart they spend, the more they will appreciate their relationship.

However, things take a turn for the worst when Buzzy and Caitlin find their blissful life disrupted by the arrival of his half-sister Linda (Kerry Bishé) and news of Caitlin’s sister Marsha’s (Marsha Dietlein) marriage troubles.

During an intimate screening at Meet NYC last week, Burns discussed what it was like shooting on a budget – the actors wore their own clothes and did their own makeup – and why he chose the documentary style – it just felt more real.

Additionally, the actor shared that he gets his ideas for scripts by talking to people and getting to know them.

Burns also said that he prefers shooting a low-budget film and bringing New York City to life.

As a fan of the film and of his work, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Edited: December 19th, 2011

NYGossipGirl Exclusive Interview: Ari Graynor

NYGossipGirl had the pleasure of catching up with the ever-so-lovely Ari Graynor who talked about her new role in The Sitter where she worked alongside Jonah Hill.

Check out our exclusive interview below!

NYGG: So last time we spoke you did Holy Rollers and this is a different feel. What was it like working on a comedy and with Jonah?

Graynor: Working with Jonah was the greatest things ever. He’s one of my favorite people, so funny, so talented. It was like hanging out with your really good friend. It was a lot of fun.

NYGG: What’s your character like?

Graynor: I play Marisa, his very reluctant girlfriend. Kind of using him as an emotional crutch. He’s more into her than she’s into him. She’s sort of nursing her own broken heart. So she’s spending time with him to make her feel good about herself. I go hang out at a party and he’s committed to babysitting. And I use my feminine wiles to come meet me and bring me some drugs [laughs] and he brings the kids along and craziness ensues.

NYGG: And you’ve played so many comedic films in the past. Aside from Holy Rollers are you looking to do more dramatic roles?

Graynor: I am. You know, I have done a lot of dramatic roles in the course of my career, it’s just that in the past couple of years it’s been super comedy-driven. But, I have done Holy Rollers and Conviction and American Crime and I’m also doing a play right now and when it ends in March, hopefully I’ll dive into something a little bit more dramatic.

Edited: December 18th, 2011

Britney Spears Gets Engaged to Jason Trawick

This has been quite the month for Britney Spears. Not only did the pop star celebrate her 30th birthday, but now she’s engaged to longtime beau Jason Trawick.

Trawick proposed to Spears with a Neil Lane ring on Thursday night in Los Angeles.

The singer began dating Trawick, her former agent, in 2009.

Spears has two sons, Preston, 6, and Jayden, 5, with ex-husband Kevin Federline, whom she divorced in 2006.

Congratulations to the happy couple!

Edited: December 16th, 2011

NYGossipGirl Exclusive Interview: David Thewlis

NYGossipGirl recently caught up with David Thewlis at the World Premiere of his new film War Horse. The film follows a young man named Albert, who enlists to service in WWI after his beloved horse, Joey, is sold to cavalry.

Thewlis, who’s known for his role as Lupin in Harry Potter talked about his character in War Horse and his upcoming projects.

NYGG: So can you tell me about your character and what attracted you to the role?

Thewlis: I’m the landlord [laughs]. The villain. I like playing the villain and really it all began with Steven Spielberg. It was an honor.

NYGG: How is this film different then past ones you have done before?

Thewlis: Well it’s enormously different than anything I have done before. Every film is totally different. Everything I do is totally different.

NYGG: Are you currently working on any new projects?

Thewlis: I have a film with Luc Besson called The Lady about the democratic pioneer of Burma.

NYGG: And you’ve worked with so many actors and directors in the past. Is there someone that you haven’t worked with that you want to?

Thewlis: I would love to work with Scorsese, The Coen brothers again in a bigger part. There’s loads. Yeah, loads.

Edited: December 15th, 2011

NYGossipGirl Exclusive Interview: Tilda Swinton

NYGossipGirl.com recently chatted with Tilda Swinton about her new film We Need to Talk About Kevin.

The film follows a mother (Swinton) of a teenage boy (Ezra Miller) who went on a high-school killing spree as she tries to deal with her grief and feelings of responsibility for her child’s actions.

NYGG: What attracted you to this project?

Swinton: Well Lynne Ramsay and I kind of wanted to work together and I would have made anything with her, but this film is about something really compelling and there’s something very tragic I think. It’s about something that people don’t really talk about, which is the difficulty of having a baby that you find hard to love.

NYGG: How did you prepare for the role?

Swinton: Imagination. There is no preparation for this. It’s a fantasy, it’s not a real story and there was nothing really I could do to prepare for it beyond put together some sort of convincing disguise as this woman and imagine. Because it’s not anything close to my experience, I’m happy to say.

NYGG: What was it like working with Ezra?

Swinton: Oh Ezra, we’re a family. All of us. We’re a very tight group. You can’t make a film like this about being a family. We’re a kin.

NYGG: What do you have coming up?

Swinton: A big rest. Big sleep and probably some endless child-centric activity.

Edited: December 7th, 2011

Blu-ray DVD Review: Friends with Benefits

Friends with Benefits is a smart and honest portrayal of a no-strings attached relationship.

Although the film has its shares of clichés – but what romantic comedy doesn’t? – they fit right in as does the chemistry between lead actors Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis.

Friends with Benefits centers around a young female headhunter, Jamie (Kunis), who convinces Dylan (Timberlake), a potential recruit  to accept a job in New York.

Despite an attraction to each other, they decide to see what happens if they leave emotion out of it and keep the relationship strictly physical.

Both Jamie and Dylan are, in some sorts, polar opposites. She is a risk-taker who enjoys adventure, while he tends to be more laid back. Both Timberlake and Kunis play their characters with such ease you would think that there is chemistry between them.

Unlike similar films – insert Natalie Portman’s and Ashton Kutcher’s No Strings Attached here – Friends with Benefits pokes fun of the current romantic comedies out there with a fake film-within-the-film starring Jason Segel and Rashida Jones – another comedy within itself.

Also, look out for Woody Harrelson, who stars alongside Timberlake as his office colleague, Patricia Clarkson who plays Kunis’ “hip” mom, Jenna Elfman who stars as Timberlake’s older sister and Richard Jenkins shines as Timberlake’s father.

Where many romantic comedies have failed in the past and featured to many clichés to count, Friends with Benefits succeeds.

Edited: December 7th, 2011