Things We Lost in the Fire

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

Halle Berry was showing off her beautiful baby bump at the photocall and premiere of Things We Lost In the Fire in Rome yesterday. We've been seeing a lot of smiley pregnant Halle recently in London and NYC and by Gabriel's side. Are you still loving it, or is it Halle overkill? Help us help you! Yes, it's survey time again and we would love love love it if you would take just a few short minutes and let us know how we're doing and what you like (and don't like) to see on PopSugar. All you have to do is click here to take the survey. We want to make you happy! Surveys are fun! Heh.

To see a whole lot more of Halle just read more

After starting out the week getting into some hot water after remarks she made taping Leno, Halle looked absolutely spectacular at the London Film Festival premiere of Things We Lost in the Fire last night. The color, the back, the cut! Seriously, she doesn't even look pregnant, what's up with that? Sadly the hot hot dad-to-be Gabriel Aubrey wasn't by her side to complete the look. The heart-wrenching movie didn't premiere spectacularly on its fairly small release opening weekend, but is getting decent (even good) reviews. Either way, I'm sure the movie isn't her new (or upcoming) release that is foremost on her mind.

To see more of Halle and Sam Mendes just read more

Not a lot of folks are going to the movie theaters lately, but those who are seem to be most interested in the super scary vampire flick 30 Days of Night, which came in at No. 1 at the box office with $16 million. What with all the highly dramatic dramas coming out, maybe it's understandable that people are drawn to the fun unreality rather than checking out movies that address the starkest aspects of human life.

Only one of the weekend's anticipated dramas even cracked the top five at the box office: Ben Affleck's Gone Baby Gone came in fifth place. At No. 2 was Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married? while Disney's The Game Plan held steady at No. 3, and Michael Clayton followed up in fourth place. Rendition opened in ninth place to the tune of just over $4 million. The Halle Berry/Benicio Del Toro weepie Things We Lost in the Fire came in fifteenth place, while Reservation Road — only playing in a handful of theaters — came in at No. 39.

Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures

Based on the melodramatic-seeming trailer that told most of the movie's story in its two-and-a-half minutes, I had fairly low expectations for Susanne Bier's directorial follow-up to her Oscar-nominated After the Wedding. But Things We Lost in the Fire far exceeded those expectations. Aided by some solid performances and wise directional decisions, the movie is less cheesy and more potent than the trailer suggests.

The story starts out dreary and sentimental, then kicks into high drama and deep sadness, then it's horrifying, and then back to very sad, where it ends. There is redemption, but little joy to this story. The narrative begins with the funeral of Steven Burke (David Duchovny), which I think is a questionable move because watching people mourn without giving the audience any reason yet to be sad along with the characters creates an empty, pointless feeling. But the characters go on to earn our sympathy, and through a series of flashbacks interspersed with present-day action we are absorbed into this world of Steven's grieving widow Audrey (Halle Berry), their two children, and Steven's best friend — the down-and-out recovering drug addict Jerry Sunborne (Benicio Del Toro). For more about the story and my take on it, read more

Halle's dream co-star Benicio skipped the LA premiere of their new movie Things We Lost in the Fire last night, but luckily she had her sexy baby daddy to keep her company instead. Gabriel wasn't the only hot thing at the premiere last night — when asked about being pregnant, Halle said, “When you’re pregnant, you’re always hot! Always hot. So I’m like, on fire right now.” Between all the fabulous things happening in her personal life and career, we're going to have to agree with her on that one.

Lots more pics from the premiere including Ben Kingsley, Dave Annable and Alison Lohman so just read more

Halle Berry showed off her growing baby bump at the premiere for her new film Things We Lost in the Fire in NYC this weekend. Jennifer Hudson looked beautiful in purple while Halle looked cute and happy with her costar, Benicio Del Toro. Halle recently spoke with Oprah about her excitement in getting to work with Benicio. Here's more:

• Halle on Working with Benicio: "For about at least five years before we had this chance to work together, people would always say, 'Who do you want to work with?' And I would always say, 'Benicio Del Toro, never really imagining how that would happen or if it would come to pass."
• Halle on Benicio the Comedian: "When you work on a movie that has the gravity of this movie, you need someone to lighten it up. He had a wonderful way of just making us all smile or finding the light touch in every scene, because every scene can't be heavy and downtrodden."

Not only are Halle's dreams of having a baby finally coming true, but the Oscar winner also has a gorgeous man in her life and is getting to work with her favorite actors. After some really rocky relationships, Halle must be feeling great that her life has turned out so fortunate. Lots more from the premiere including Jon Voight, Alison Lohman, Howard Stern and more so read more

We may not be getting the crisp fall weather just yet, but we are getting previews for tons of movies opening in the fall. In preparation for this autumn and winter at the theaters, I've broken up the lengthy list of upcoming movies into many small themes for my Fall Movie Preview series. This way, you'll be in the know when the chillier months roll around, bringing a whole new crop of new films. Today I'm bringing you three movies that may just jerk at the tears and yank at the heartstrings.

The Kite Runner
The trailer for this movie is already enough to start me crying, especially since I've read the moving novel on which it's based. The story follows two childhood best friends: Amir, the son of a wealthy businessman in Kabul, and Hassan, the son of Amir's father's servant. Before Amir and his father flee to America, the boys' friendship is tested by a moment when Amir falls silent as Hassan is brutally beaten. Settled in California as an adult, this moment haunts Amir until he learns of Hassan's death at the hands of the Taliban, and returns to his homeland to search for Hassan's young son. It sounds bleak (and it kind of is), but there's a lot of beauty in this story as well. The Kite Runner opens November 2.

For two more emotional rollercoasters, read more

After watching the trailer for Things We Lost in the Fire, starring Halle Berry, Benicio Del Toro and David Duchovny, I felt like I'd seen the entire movie. Berry plays Audrey who loses her husband (Duchovny) to a senseless crime. Del Toro is her husband's best friend who is also a heroin addict. He moves in with Audrey and her kids, and we can all probably guess what happens after that. I'd been looking forward to seeing this trailer for Things We Lost in the Fire, which opens October 27, but now that I have it's kind of letdown. You can check it out and tell me what you think if you read more