awake

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, Awake, a thriller staring Hayden Christensen and Jessica Alba is out on DVD as well.

Into the Wild
There has been no shortage of buzz around this heartbreaking and visually stunning film directed by Sean Penn and starring Emile Hirsh. While it didn't make it as far at the Oscars as many hoped it would, it did make it onto my March Must-Haves, and I know many people are just as excited as I am that this movie is finally out on DVD. Into the Wild is based on the best-selling true story by Jon Krakauer all about a young, upper-middle class man with the world at his feet who decides to part with his normal, steady life in search of adventure. He sets out on a journey across the country and eventually ends up alone in the wilderness of Alaska.

The breathtaking scenery and unforgettable characters, along with the thought-provoking tale of a young man's journey on the path less taken makes for an important and moving film. Special features include interesting information about the true-life inspirations for the movie.

For two more selections, read more

Yesterday I brought you the first installment of my series on face oils. These gentle and fast-absorbing products are a relatively new way to increase hydration as well as re-balance and rejuvenate dry winter skin. Here are three more products to check out.

Neal's Yard Organic Orange Flower Facial Oil ($60) helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, eliminate toxins as well as balance the moisture levels in the skin. It is made from mandarin, pomegranate, primrose, ylang ylang, neroli and macadamia seed oil. After continued use, the result is soft, supple and balanced skin. Use morning and/or evening and massage into the face and neck.

For two more re-balancing and rejuvenating facial oils, read more

We told you about the entertaining pregnant dance, Get Knocked Up before news broke that Awake star Jessica Alba is pregnant! According to People, "Jessica Alba and Cash Warren are expecting their first baby."

Congratulations to the couple! What better way to welcome her to mommyhood than with a baby dance from Get Knocked Up.

Source

For the second weekend in a row, Enchanted hypnotized audiences, topping the box office by a long shot with $17 million. Family holiday flick This Christmas stayed strong at No. 2, though took home about half as much as Enchanted did. Beowulf followed up in third place while the new psychological thriller Awake came in at No. 4 with $6 million. Hitman just barely edged out Fred Claus for fifth place.

This weekend I'll be curious to see if The Golden Compass succeeds in drawing the masses that New Line is so desperate to see. According to Variety, the studio held sneak preview screenings this past weekend, hoping to "boost interest in the film, which has been lagging in tracking, although awareness is high." Also opening this Friday is the romantic drama Atonement, starring James McAvoy and Keira Knightley.

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios

While she's not the star of the film, I must say that fresh off her morning of charity Rachel Bilson stole the show in her strapless blue and white dress at last night's Manhattan premiere of the thriller Awake. She was out to support her boy, Hayden, who is in the movie alongside Jessica Alba, who herself was dateless. Sadly it looks like R-Bils and Hayden are taking their cues from the Affleck-Garners and didn't do the red carpet thing. Hopefully, they won't keep it up when they have their own movie, Jumper to promote. Awake looks a little intense for my Thanksgiving tastes (eesh being awake during surgery and not able to tell your doctor, who is actually trying to kill you), but hopefully it's a hit for Jessica and Hayden. Judging from their red carpet smiles, at least it looks like they must have had fun together making it.

To see more of Rachel, Hayden and Jessica just read more

Strangely, it appears that Awake was originally in production years ago, and is now scheduled to open November 30 but hasn't really been on anyone's radar at all. It stars Jessica Alba, Hayden Christensen and Terrence Howard, yet nobody's been talking about it — until now with the release of a full-length trailer.

The movie doesn't look like a total gem, and yet the trailer seriously freaked me out by tapping into a major fear. Christensen plays a man who experiences "anesthetic awareness." He goes under anesthesia for his operation but is still aware of everything around him. Terrence Howard plays his surgeon friend who operates on him, and Jessica Alba plays the confused wife. There looks to be an element of the supernatural to it all as well. To check out the trailer for Awake and tell me what you think, read more