POPSUGAR Entertainment

What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

POPSUGAR Entertainment — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 05:30:22 PST

I can't get over the number of new DVD releases hitting shelves this week (I know what I'll be doing Saturday!). Along with these three picks, you also have Charlize Theron in The Burning Plain, Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All by Myself, Downloading Nancy with Maria Bello, and the political satire In the Loop.

The Hurt Locker

A small film with big word-of-mouth buzz, The Hurt Locker was one of the cinematic dark horses of this past year. The behind-the-scenes story of an elite bomb squad in Iraq is an action movie with depth, as it explores how the members cope with the weight of their high-risk job. Critics love it, and I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't catch Locker when it first hit theaters. I plan on making up for lost time by devoting my Saturday to it - before it runs away with all of the award season trophies. Of special note is Kathryn Bigelow, who is receiving the most accolades for her directorial work.

DVD extras include a commentary and a behind the scenes documentary.

97%

Fame

Most of you said that you wanted to see Fame in theaters, but you can take it home now in case you missed it (or if you want to see it again!). This update of the 1980s musical follows a whole new class of singers, musicians, and actors at the New York City High School of Performing Arts. It feels a little more cutesy, teeny-bopper than the original, but seeing as how I'm sucker for dance movies, I'm adding it to my queue for the flashy production numbers alone.

DVD extras include deleted scenes and the Fame National Talent Search Contest Winner.

27%

One more release to check out when you

Post Grad

Post Grad wasn't a huge blockbuster, but I liked the quirky story and think it would make for a great rental. The film centers around former Gilmore Girls star Alexis Bledel as Ryden Malby, a new college grad who, like most of us, has a quasi-quarterlife crisis when her dream job doesn't fall into her lap as easily as she had hoped. Yes, the story is predicable and frothy, but it's also sweet - and thanks to supporting roles from Jane Lynch and Carol Burnett, it provides a few laughs, too.

DVD extras include deleted scenes and job hunting tips. I'm not sure if you should take employment advice from a movie, but hey, can't hurt!

Confusing Technology Doesn't Pass in Post Grad

POPSUGAR Tech — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 03:50:37 PDT

I just saw the college graduation comedy Post Grad starring Alexis Bledel and like Buzz, I thought the movie was also quirky and cute, but I had a few quibbles with the technology.

First, there must have been some sort of MySpace deal for placement, because it opens with Bledel's character Ryden posting a video blog getting live video comments on a very fancy-looking MySpace UI. I haven't been on the 'Space for a while now, but I'm pretty sure this is not the latest redesign. Speaking of UIs, though Ryden uses an Apple laptop in the movie, it's not the OS X interface either, but another fake Hollywood OS. What's wrong with existing UIs?

That's not even my biggest tech problem with this movie - to see what it is, just

My greatest objection by far was Ryden's job hunt - she searches out leads in the newspaper! Not Craigslist? Not monster.com or the other millions of job-hunting websites that a bright college grad would certainly know about? The movie's website itself even opens up with a face Craigslist page. Definitely a huge "what were they thinking" moment, but it's an otherwise fun movie.

Photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight

Post Grad Style: Ryden Malby

POPSUGAR Celebrity — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 11:07:55 PDT

Ryden Malby (Alexis Bledel) is dressed to impress in yet another scene from Post Grad. Entering the working world in style, Ryden wears a serious black pencil skirt but pairs it with a colorful top and red waist belt to keep her look young and fresh. She might be living at home and facing job rejections, but at least she's looking good! Shop a similar look now.

Photo courtesy of FOX Searchlight Films

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Post Grad Style: Ryden Malby

POPSUGAR Celebrity — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 11:06:43 PDT

In this scene from Post Grad, we see a different side of Ryden Malby. Sitting on the beach with David (Rodrigo Santoro), her hot next-door neighbor, Ryden looks cool and sultry in a leather jacket and gauzy top. Shop a similar look now.

Photo courtesy of FOX Searchlight Films

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Post Grad: A Cute Quarterlife Comedy

Shannon Vestal — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:30:57 PDT

The big elephant in the room while watching Post Grad is that the plot seems like it's totally zeitgeist-y, but it's actually not. A young woman (Alexis Bledel) can't seem to get a job despite her qualifications and languishes in unemployment. Unemployment! Super timely, right? But no, there is no mention of the current recession that's keeping a lot of the brilliantly competent out of work, which solidifies that this movie must have been made quite a while ago. Adding to my suspicion is the fact that Bledel's character Ryden does all her job hunting with a red pen and a newspaper. In 2009. In LA.

Once you're past the faux timeliness, however, the movie becomes surprisingly enjoyable. Is it Alexis Bledel channeling a less-successful Rory Gilmore? Not so much, though she is believable and irritatingly adorable. More than anything, the fun of this movie lies in the strength and comedy chops of the supporting cast. To hear what I thought of it all, just

I could have watched a whole movie about Ryden's family alone: her grandmother is played by Carol Burnett, who couldn't not be funny if she tried and her mother is Jane Lynch, who's something of a straight man (I know) to Michael Keaton. Yes, that's right, Michael Keaton is back, and his presence is an unexpected delight. Though his character gets a little too wacky at times, he charms as Ryden's goofball dad.

As the movie goes on, the comedian cameos come fast and furious; Fred Armisen, The Office's Craig Robinson, and Kirk Fox all pop up. J.K. Simmons' role is kind of a disappointment, just because he weirdly disappears after a couple of scenes as the father of Ryden's best friend. Friday Night Lights' Zach Gilford plays said best friend, obviously in unrequited love with Ryden, who inexplicably resists him. Rodrigo Santoro's presence is questionable, but not entirely unwelcome - is it quirky or contrived that his hunky, mysterious neighbor pops up to dispense a tiny bit of sage advice? Well, I don't know, I was too busy being lost in his eyes.

But, oh yeah, there is a main character in this flick, Ryden, whose problem is infuriating at times. She has a vision of her perfect future, which she expects to start with landing her perfect dream job just days after she graduates college, and when this doesn't happen immediately, she's utterly lost. What redeems her is that her entitlement is, sadly, understandable, since the college environment really does make you feel like the brightest future imaginable is at your feet once you get your diploma. A whole trend - the quarterlife crisis - was born years ago to define the disappointment of folks in their 20s not getting what they assumed they deserved. That she buys into it reminds me of my own postgraduation experiences and those of my friends.

Ryden doesn't necessarily learn that the "perfect future" is something that takes hard work and doesn't happen overnight, but she does learn that her life could be more fulfilling if she stopped whining and started dating her sweet best friend (I knew she couldn't resist a singing, songwriting Matt Saracen for long). Is that a good lesson, or even realistic? Maybe not, and in this movie, it's predictable; but you'll still cheer when Ryden does finally stop stressing out and finds some semblance of a future.

Photos courtesy of Fox Searchlight

Post Grad Style: Ryden Malby

POPSUGAR Celebrity — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:00:00 PDT

Ryden Malby shares a moment with her hunky next-door neighbor, David, looking cozy and adorable in an oversize "boyfriend" sweater, which she simply pairs with jeans and a purple tank. This is the perfect look for a night in, so be sure to shop similar items now!

Photo courtesy of FOX Searchlight Films

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Post Grad Style: Ryden Malby

POPSUGAR Celebrity — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:00:00 PDT

In this scene from Post Grad, Ryden Malby (Alexis Bledel) looks quite happy despite her unsuccessful and frustrating job search. In her black pencil skirt and navy silk top, Ryden looks ready for work - although it seems like she got an impromptu foot massage instead! Shop similar items now.

Photo courtesy of FOX Searchlight Films

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Post Grad Style: Ryden Malby

POPSUGAR Celebrity — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:30:00 PDT

In this scene from Post Grad, Ryden Malby looks ready for a day off with friends. Her plaid jacket, which looks a lot like this Vivienne Westwood one, could be dressed up for the office, or dressed down with a great pair of jeans and cute ankle boots. Shop similar items now!

Photo courtesy of FOX Searchlight Films

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Post Grad Style: Ryden Malby

POPSUGAR Celebrity — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:00:00 PDT

In this scene from Post Grad, Ryden Malby, played by Alexis Bledel, looks great in her office attire. She wears a polka-dot blouse with a fitted black blazer and manages to look fashionable and professional at the same time - not bad for a recent college graduate! Shop similar items now to get Ryden's look.

Photo courtesy of FOX Searchlight Films

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Alexis Bledel's Navy Draped Dress: Love It or Hate It?

POPSUGAR Fashion — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 02:36:22 PDT

I'm usually a huge advocate of Alexis Bledel's unique red carpet ensembles but this particular one left me hanging. The actress wore a navy draped dress by Sachin and Babi for Ankasa, black satin sandals, and a rad studded clutch to the screening of her new Post Grad flick - can't wait to see the movie. I appreciate the avant-garde aesthetic and metallic embellishments, but I'm not a huge fan of the longer hemline and the draped pleating at the hips. Maybe it would look better cinched in with a belt? Tell me what you think!

Take all of my Love It or Hate It Polls here!