First Sunday

All of the new DVD releases hit stores (and Netflix) on Tuesdays. So each week in What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday, I sort through the best of the batch and tell you what to add to your queue. In addition to the titles below, you can now rent or own the Hillary Swank and Gerard Butler weepie, P.S. I Love You.

I'm Not There
I'm Not There was a highly buzzed-about film last year with a lot of the attention focusing on director Todd Haynes' unique conceptualization of Bob Dylan's (or, "a musician like Bob Dylan") life through the years. The talent associated with this film was staggering but the untimely death of one of the stars, Heath Ledger, added even more poignancy to Haynes' ambitious endeavor.

In the movie, six different actors emulate Bob Dylan using different names and appearing in different eras. I wasn't the biggest fan of the film, but other folks were enamored with this movie, more willing than I to ignore the annoying parts and focus on the great performances by Heath Ledger, Cate Blanchett (who won the Independent Spirit award for her role), and Christian Bale. This is a good addition to your queue if you have been curious about this film but would enjoy the luxury of a fast-forward button.

Special features include commentary by director/co-writer Tod Haynes, red carpet footage, and deleted scenes.

Two more titles if you read more

• The Bucket List took the top spot at the box office over the weekend, narrowly beating Tracy Morgan's First Sunday, while Juno came in at third. Even in a cheesy buddy flick, you just can't top two of the biggest actors in the world side by side on screen. — BuzzSugar
• Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, Timbaland, Wyclef Jean, and Tyler Perry have been identified as users of steroids and human-growth hormones in an investigation on the use of the drugs. No one has been formally accused of any criminal activity, but a recent look at Timbaland might make one wonder what exactly has been going on. — Times Union (Albany, N.Y.)
• Roger Avary, who won an Oscar for writing Pulp Fiction, has been arrested for vehicular manslaughter after being involved in an alleged drunk-driving accident in Ojai, Calif. early Sunday morning, which killed a passenger and injured Avary's wife. Our thoughts are with the passenger's families after this horrible tragedy. — Ventura County Star
• The anticlimactic Golden Globe Awards were announced last night. Head over to Buzz to check out the winners. — BuzzSugar
• Bjork attacked a paparazzo, who was photographing her arrival at Auckland's airport on Sunday, grabbing the man's shirt and ripping it down the middle. She also assaulted a photographer at a Thai airport in 1996. Note to photographers: Do not mess with Bjork! — The New Zealand Herald
• ICYMI, Nicole and Joel delivered a girl on Friday, and Christina and Jordan welcomed their son on Saturday!

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

By an incredibly small margin (in Hollywood terms, anyway), The Bucket List was No. 1 at the box office over the weekend, just barely beating out First Sunday for the top slot. According to Variety, this is the biggest opening yet for director Rob Reiner. Also, 70% of ticket buyers were over 35 years of age.

Coming in at No. 3 was Juno moving down just one place after actually coming in at No. 2 last weekend. National Treasure: Book of Secrets fell to No. 4 with Alvin and the Chipmunks rounding out the top five.

This upcoming holiday weekend we'll see the girlish romcom 27 Dresses go up against J.J. Abrams' Cloverfield and the bank heist comedy Mad Money.

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

Fox Searchlight, flying high these days on their Juno success, is signing up to bring David Talbert's novel Baggage Claim to the big screen. The story follows thirtysomething flight attendant Montana Moore who, "frustrated with being single, embarks on a 30-day, 30,000-mile barnstorm across America to find an appropriate suitor. Along the way she encounters several interested prospects, including a preacher, a politician and a tycoon."

Author David Talbert has often been compared to Tyler Perry, as he writes, directs and produces projects like First Sunday, opening in wide release today and starring Ice Cube and Tracy Morgan. For Baggage Claim, Talbert will again write, direct and produce.

I really like this plot description, and I'm especially amused by this little blurb from a reader's review on Amazon: "[Montana Moore] has men in categories:

1. Overnight Bag kind of man
2. Garment Bag kind of man
3. Briefcase man
4. Duffel Bag kind of man
5. Trunk kind of man"

Ha! Now I'm curious to read Talbert's book before the project makes its way to theaters. What do you think about this movie news? Have you read Baggage Claim?

• The TV Addict tells us how to vote for the best fan poster for Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.
• According to the Popwatch Dictionary, a "mift" is a gift you give someone else with the hope that you will actually get to use it, or that it will eventually become your own. The Arrested Development DVD sets are examples of a mift.
• Cinematical has a lot of love for Extras, and especially can't seem to get through the special Christmas episode without crying.
• TV Squad has details on some cool-sounding new series coming to AMC following the success of Mad Men.
• Check out the MTV Movies Blog for an exclusive clip of Ice Cube's First Sunday.
• Aquarium Drunkard has so many Elvis holiday songs, you won't be able to get the swivel out of your hips.
• Vulture wonders: Will Jamie Lynn Spears' pregnancy hurt Juno's chances at the Oscars?
• Give Me My Remote just introduced me to the Jeannie Tate Show.

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