Tangled

Need some help choosing a movie to see this weekend? Luckily we've got all your bases covered, so let us guide you through the latest releases — we've got reviews for Love & Other Drugs, Burlesque, Tangled, and The King's Speech.

Mandy Moore may be all grown up now, but remember when she was just a baby-faced pop star dancing in a parking lot? For this week's Buzz Time Machine let's take a trip down memory lane with "Candy." Moore rocks out with her girls to a jukebox, cruises around in a neon VW Beetle, and tries to make sexy faces at a neighborhood boy. It's hard to believe that the Tangled star is the same gawky blonde we see here. Watch and sing along — you know you want to!

I've been slowly getting into the holiday spirit by rolling out my gift guides, but let's not forget there's still Thanksgiving to look forward to before December madness sets in. If you need some help gearing up to give thanks, you might want to head to the theater: this month's offerings seem rife for making you appreciate things that you could be taking for granted. Here's the lowdown on five November movies that will make you feel thankful.

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part One
   What it's about: The final chapter begins as Harry, Ron, and Hermione prepare to battle the Dark Lord in a war of good vs. evil.
   What it will make you feel thankful for: Good friends who stick by your side through thick and thin.




2. Morning Glory
   What it's about: Young producer Becky tries to save an ailing morning show, which means keeping the show's bickering anchors at bay.
   What it will make you feel thankful for: Your job and possibly your boss.




3. Tangled
   What it's about: Disney takes on the classic fairy tale of Rapunzel.
   What it will make you feel thankful for: Your freedom.




Two more movies after the jump.

Disney's latest animated film, Tangled, is such an unabashed delight that I wonder why the studio took so long to take on the story. On the other hand, the story certainly benefits from its 21st-century treatment, because the direction of the story is modern, fresh, and a little bit feminist. Mandy Moore stars as the voice of Rapunzel, the princess who is kidnapped from her royal family as a baby and raised in total isolation in a tall tower.

Her only companions are her pet chameleon Pascal and Mother Gothel, the woman she believes to be her mother. Of course, she's actually the old hag who stole Rapunzel away to take advantage of her magical hair (when Rapunzel sings, Gothel becomes younger. It's Disney botox.). Rapunzel's love interest is Flynn Ryder (Zachary Levi), who's no prince — literally. Flynn is a bandit on the run who hides in Rapunzel's tower, brusquely intruding into her life and changing its course forever. Flynn strikes a deal with Rapunzel, agreeing to guide her through the strange, scary outside world, which she had always been forbidden to explore. From the start, Rapunzel's motivation is freedom, not love, which makes Tangled a refreshing interpretation of the classic tale. For more on why I enjoyed the film, just read more

Disney's latest animated film, Tangled, takes on the classic Rapunzel story, but unlike some other classic tales, this heroine doesn't exactly need to be rescued. Mandy Moore voices Rapunzel in the movie, and Chuck's Zachary Levi plays her not-quite-prince-charming love interest, Flynn Ryder. I sat down for a chat with Levi and Moore about their magical roles, their favorite Disney movies, and what's in store for their careers — will there be an album for Levi and a guest spot on Chuck for Moore? Watch my interview to find out!

Princesses are always popular, but they seem to be especially hot lately. First, Prince William and Kate Middleton got engaged, and Disney is about to unleash its latest princess on us when Tangled hits theaters on Wednesday. The release is going to be bittersweet though: Disney has announced that the studio won't be making any more fairy tale movies.

Disney has already capitalized on most of the beloved fairy tales of my youth, and it might be good for gender roles for the princess era to come to an end. And, as any Pixar movie can tell you, a fairy tale origin is hardly necessary to make a great animated film. Today, as we prepare to close the book on Disney princesses, let's reminisce. Tell me — which of the heroines is your favorite?

Rapunzel (as in a very convincing actress portraying the long-haired character) and her prince recently went to see the LA Kings play against the Columbus Blue Jackets before next week's big release of Tangled. Growing super-long hair requires a lot of maintenance, patience, and time — which Rapunzel had a lot of when she was locked in the tower. If your current beauty goal is to grow long, healthy strands like the flaxen-haired heroine, take a peek at some items (both in the hair care and just-for-fun categories) we think would get her stamp of approval:

More Alterna...

Zachary Levi updates us on whether or not Nicole Richie will return to Chuck and explains why he's a "Dis-nerd" at the Tangled premiere. Check it out on PopSugar Rush!