BuzzSugar

Grindhouse Loses the Box Office Race

BuzzSugar — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 00:00:19 PDT

Mediocrity topped curiosity at the box-office this weekend, with two tepidly reviewed holdovers - Blades of Glory and Disney's Meet the Robinsons - landing in the No. 1 and 2 spots with $23 million and $17 million in ticket sales, respectively. Both movies beat out Grindhouse, the groundbreaking double feature directed by Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino, which earned just $11 million.

Grindhouse getting trumped by Blades of Glory doesn't surprise me; after all, it's easier for hordes of movie-going teens to flock to a PG-13 flick than two hard-core R movie. What's tragic is that Grindhouse didn't even manage to win the race against the new Ice Cube movie, Are We Done Yet?, which sounds fairly dreadful. What movies did you guys see this weekend?

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Hysteria Director Tanya Wexler Talks Vibrators, Faking It, and Duck Sex

Tara Block — Fri, 25 May 2012 04:00:15 PDT

Don't be shy . . . It's time to talk sex toys! And Hysteria director Tanya Wexler is writing us a prescription for pleasure. Tanya's film - what she calls "the vibrator movie you can bring your mom to" - is in limited release and stars Hugh Dancy, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Rupert Everett. When working on a romantic comedy that centers around the invention of the vibrator, you end up with some entertaining and embarrassing situations along the way, and lucky for us, Tanya spilled all the hilariously dirty details. From teaming up with the film's partner Jimmyjane for a drive-by vibrator drop-off to a certain female Oscar-winner to trying unsuccessfully to get ducks to shag on command, Tanya was bursting with great stories from working on this very unconventional film. And while Tanya isn't ashamed to discuss the sexy subject matter of her latest film with us, the mother of four and her partner of 21 years did have a tricky challenge telling her preteen kids what her movie was about. (She eventually gave them the script and let them figure it out themselves!) Check out our interview with the fun-loving director now, and we dare you not to have a girl crush on her by the end!

TrèsSugar: What were some of the challenges to getting a movie made about vibrators?
Tanya Wexler: Getting the script right was tricky because if you just make a movie about the invention of the vibrator, it's actually a really short movie: you go "bzz" and it's done. And we had a kind of light romantic comedy. I say I made the vibrator movie you can bring your mom to. But some people wanted it to be raunchy or some people wanted it to be more serious and about feminism. People project a lot onto this movie of what they want, because there isn't a lot out there about vibrators and women's pleasure, and we still don't really deal with that topic very well, or we're overly antsy around it. And as a result, people have a lot of ideas of what the movie could and should be, and you can't please everyone. [laughs]

TS: Ha, good one.
TW: It's nonstop!

TS: Do you find sex toys inherently funny or something to be seriously celebrated?
TW: Yes!

TS: Both?
TW: Yes! Yes. I think they make me laugh, and I think that the inner kind of Beavis and Butt-head in all of us goes "[laugh]." You know, that inner 13-year-old, like, "Hahaha vibrator . . . " and yet they're awesome and fun.

TS: What shocked you the most when researching the movie?
TW: That ducks are the rapists of the bird world, and you'll see when you see the movie, because there's a little bit of questionable duck behavior - or awesome duck behavior - in the movie. It's totally a sidebar, but you cannot make ducks shag on command. I'm just saying.

TS: What about the whole history of hysteria being a medical condition?
TW: When I first heard the idea, I was like, "What do you mean it was invented in Victorian times?" I knew about hysteria, but the idea that the treatment was manual [British accent] massage deparaxism - which is what they called it - and, of course, the denial. The most shocking thing is the denial, that they didn't think it was sexual.

TS: Do you think they were really in denial?
TW: No, I don't think that some people were. My college roommate was with her high school boyfriend for two years and she had never had an orgasm. I think there's all kinds of denial, especially with women's sexuality. So the fact that there are young women today who haven't had an orgasm, whether self-induced - which is insane - or with a partner, then why wouldn't we think back then that women wouldn't know what orgasms were?

They would get a massage, and the doctor's saying, "Without a penis, this isn't sex, because sex is about procreation," so what is this? The best physical therapy you've ever had. So once you don't think of it as something other than what the doctor's supposed to do to cure your uncontrollable crying or uncontrollable laughter or whatever, then it's just an awesome muscle spasm. If you don't think women have their own inherent sexuality, then you're not thinking about it like that.

Keep reading for Tanya's thoughts on Fifty Shades and more!

Jane Krakowski Says Jenna Would Play Anastasia in Fifty Shades of Grey

Annie Scudder — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:10:25 PDT

30 Rock's season finale aired last week, and it's official that the next season will be its last. We caught up with Jane Krakowski, who plays Jenna Maroney, the narcissistic actress engaged to her male impersonator. In addition to her work on 30 Rock, Jane's using her comedic talent for Best Night Ever, an upcoming vignette series for NBC. She'll star alongside Andy Cohen and Giuliana Rancic. We had a chance to talk to Jane, and she reflected on what she's learned from 30 Rock and even took a guess at what Jenna would make of the Fifty Shades of Grey phenomenon. Read on.

TrèsSugar: The S&M erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey is a bestseller and being made into a movie. Do you think Jenna would find it tame?
Jane Krakowski: I'm sure Jenna is buying the rights already to play the role. Everybody's reading that book. I haven't read it yet, but I see it in everyone's hands.

TS: Have you learned anything from your 30 Rock character over the years?
JK: I think my big lesson is to probably not do anything that Jenna does. So whatever she does, do the opposite. You might be better off. But that's the fun part about playing someone like her. You can be as outrageous as possible and get away with it within our structure that is TGS and 30 Rock, so there are so many things that the character has done over the seasons where I'm like, "Really? Are you sure we're going to be able to do this and get away with this?" And in that world and the blanket that is Tina Fey's genius it always seems to be alright. I will trust her wherever she sends me.

TS: Who is your favorite couple on the show?
JK: Well of course I'm thrilled Jenna has taken one step toward being humane by getting engaged. Although, Paul being a wonderful man it's (still) the most narcissistic wedding that could possibly happen, because she's marrying a male impersonator of her. I've always enjoyed Liz Lemon's relationships. I loved when Michael Sheen was on the show. I really adored him. I think her current relationship with the character of Criss is really a great one.

TS: In your latest role in NBC's TV vignettes series titled Best Night Ever, you play a tarot card reader. What would you hope the cards hold for Jenna?
JK: Wow. I sort of wish the tarot card reader would tell me that 30 Rock is not ending after 13 episodes next season. We found out that it's official that we're only going to be doing 13 more. It's been the greatest experience.

You can watch our interview with Jane below and also find out why she's excited about her new role in Best Night Ever.

5 Things You Always Wanted to Know About Paying For College

LearnVest — Wed, 23 May 2012 00:15:23 PDT

Paying for college is such a complex issue. LearnVest helps simplify it by answering some key questions in regard to paying tuition.

If you believe everything you read, then you might think you need to be a Rockefeller to have kids.

That, of course, isn't the case.

Yes, kids are expensive, and thinking about paying for a college education can be scary and frustrating . . . but that's where we come in.

As with everything else in life, figuring out what to do about your kid's college savings is all about the planning, says Stephany Kirkpatrick, CFP, LearnVest's director of financial planning. Depending on where you are in life right now and how old your kids are, you may have questions about how to set up a 529 plan (which is an education savings plan designed to help families set aside funds for future college costs), what to look for, and when to start saving.

If you're pregnant or have a newborn and are starting to think about this, then good for you! The earlier you get started socking away cash for their college, the easier it will be. You'll learn a lot in this article, but you should also check out our Baby on Board Bootcamp, which will tell you everything you need to know - financially - to be ready for a baby. It includes 529 advice, as well as financial tips on everything from putting together a will and picking out a life insurance policy to buying nursery basics.
If your kid is slightly older and you’ve done your research but haven’t yet started saving in a 529 plan, then first read the four mistakes to avoid when choosing a 529 plan, and then check out the different college savings plans available to you.
If this is the first you’re thinking about it, no matter your kid's ageI, then don't worry about it. You have to start somewhere!

Read on for more.

Benedict Cumberbatch Calls Sherlock a Great Dane & More Revelations

Kelly Schwarze — Sun, 13 May 2012 17:46:08 PDT

Sherlock's season two US premiere last week brought in a staggering 3.2 million viewers on PBS stations around the country, double that of member stations' average primetime broadcast, confirming that the clever British interpretation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic sleuth story may be the best yet.

During a fan preview of the season, we sat down with creator Steven Moffat, producer Sue Vertue, and Sherlock himself, Benedict Cumberbatch, to talk loyal fans, the wonders of the Internet, and which animals are the detective and Dr. John Watson's spirit animals (hint: they're not otters or hedgehogs). Read on for musings from the crew responsible for the wittiest mystery TV's ever seen.

On the Show's Geeky Credibility

Steven Moffat: I'm the resident geek; me and Mark (Gatiss, Sherlock co-creator) are the geeks. We started all this because we admitted to each other that we liked the Nigel Bruce/Basil Rathbone movies; you're not meant to like those ones, but we loved them.

On Fans Watching Sherlock Before Its US Debut

Steven: People aren't going to wait anymore.

Benedict: It's a carrot and stick thing. You know real fans do it because they just really want it and they don't want to ruin it [with online spoilers].

Check out what the trio have to say on those oh-so-plentiful Sherlock Internet fan memes after the jump.

8 Things You Think Are Good for Your Money . . . That Aren't

LearnVest — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:03:23 PDT

You may be wasting money when you think you're saving. LearnVest shares eight of the biggest money misconceptions.

Frugalista. Recessionista. In the past few years, people have coined a lot of silly words describing women and their approach to money, but the thought behind each of them is the same: You care about your hard-earned dollars and want to make them stretch.

That's true of most of us: We scrimp, we pinch, we try to feed our proverbial piggy bank as much as possible. Yet sometimes, in our excitement to be financial overachievers, we overreach.

It turns out there are a number of things that sound like they'd be doing good things for your money, and make you feel like you're saving more . . . when, actually, they're having the opposite effect.

Paying Every Debt Equally

When you have multiple debts to pay off (a credit card here, a student loan there) you might feel like a rock star simply for keeping up with them all and dividing your attention in a lot of different directions. Which, in a sense, you are! After all, you should always pay at least the minimums on all your loans.

But, if you have extra money to pay down your debts, you’re doing yourself a disservice by dividing it equally. The debts with the highest interest rates grow the fastest, so you should focus your muscle on the most toxic debts first.

Read on for more.

5 Reasons Being a Single Man is Kind of Overrated

The Good Men Project — Fri, 11 May 2012 04:00:47 PDT

We're happy to present this story from one of our favorite sites, The Good Men Project. Today, Damon Young names five reasons being a single man is overrated.

While most will probably remember 2012 as the "Year Of The YOLO" (and by "most" I mean "like seven people"), it holds special significance for me because it’ll likely be the first year since 2002 where I spent the entire year single. I haven’t completed a full calendar year yet - May will make it seven months since the former Lady Champ and I decided to go our separate ways - but because I seem to enjoy doing random anthropological experiments on myself for absolutely no reason (and because I’m an INTJ and INTJs apparently suck at relationships), I’m confident that I’ll make it to 2013 without having to change my Facebook relationship status again.

Three Little-Known Stressors That Are Killing Men

Anyway, if I could sum up my seven months of singledom in one word, it would most likely be "interesting." I’ve met some "interesting" people, done some "interesting" things, made some "interesting" decisions, and, most importantly, thought some "interesting" thoughts. The most "interesting" of these "interesting" thoughts? Being a single man is kind of overrated.

Now, as I stated on the day where I wrote about orgasms, "overrated" doesn’t mean "bad." In fact, as the careers of Tupac and Derrick Rose continue to prove, something can be very, very good - even great - and still be overrated. I’ve enjoyed being single, and will likely continue to enjoy it. But, while it seems like many assume that being a single man (a single Black man, at that) is nothing but an utopic stream of easy popsicles and cold pancakes, there are a few downsides.

It can be very lonely. As a person who wanted to be single, is a natural introvert, and generally enjoys doing things by himself, I’m surprised by how, for lack of a better term, "noticeable" the solitude and loneliness of singledom can be. Even when seeing multiple people and/or having tons of friends, being single means that you are . . . single, by yourself, and there may be times when you want to have someone around but there will be no one that you want to be around readily available to be around.

Then, to add insult to injury, if you’re an angsty motherf*cker like me, you’ll start thinking things like "Wait. I’m a single man. A single Black man. My dad named me after Dolemite. Shaka Zulu is my second cousin. People who’ve never even met me call me "Champ" for chrissakes. Why the f*ck do I feel lonely right now?" which’ll make it even worse.

You have to wear condoms. And, wearing condoms sucks. If you’re one of the 137 people left on Earth who always has protected sex - even if in a long-term, monogamous relationship - just skip this section and move on to #3. Also, I’ve left a plate of gotdamn sugar cookies at the end of this post as a reward for your duty. Please eat them with a gotdamn smile.

If you’re not one of these people, you should be able to relate to how frustrating it’s been to go from condom-less sex to having to worry about having gotdamn condoms all the damn time. And, even if you’re not actively having sex, "Do I have condoms?" and "Since I don’t have condoms, is there somewhere close where I can buy them?" always has to be on your mind.

Also, from a logistical perspective, they’re a hassle to put on, they smell like a pack of slutty balloons, and "sex with condoms" will always be the Mike Conley of coitus. There is always the alternative - just don’t wear condoms while single, either - but I think one Cromartie per generation is enough.

(Btw, is it just me, or has the price of condoms spiked dramatically in the past four years? I was last single in 2008, and I don’t remember a box of condoms costing as much as it does to fill a gas tank. Does this qualify as a "first world problem?" If a Black blogger bitches about condoms in the woods, would Kanye’s missing draws make a sound?) As much as condoms suck, they don’t suck as much as . . .

Having to participate in the dating game. In a paradox so annoying that I almost didn’t mention it today because I plan on spending an entire day on this sole topic soon, I love meeting new, interesting women but I hate the process that usually goes along with meeting new, interesting women. I understand (and appreciate) the purpose of the process, but knowing why it’s necessary doesn’t mean that you have to enjoy it.

The superficial romantic connections synonymous with singledom gets old. Ironically, the best thing about being a single man - possessing the ability to have myriad short, commitment-free relationships AT THE SAME DAMN TIME!!! - ends up being one of the worst after enough time has passed. This actually hasn’t happened to me yet. I guess I’m still in the single honeymoon phrase. But, I’m certain it will, and the thought of this happening is already depressing me. Actually, this entire list is getting depressing. ***Making note to self to make sure tomorrow’s post is about the playoffs or strippers or something***

You start to realize some, um, "unpositive" things about yourself. I’ve been in three long-term - "long term" = "monogamous relationship lasting at least a year" - relationships as an adult. Each of these relationships failed, and my wanting to be single was the main catalyst behind each of these failures. Now, because I’ve always been a guy who did all the "right on paper" relationship things - I’ve never cheated, never physically or verbally abused any girlfriends, always followed the chivalry handbooks, etc - I’ve always assumed that I’m good at being a partner. But, these last few months have made me realize that I have some real deficiencies in the relationship department - personality quirks that have subtly sabotaged each relationship I’ve been in.

I wouldn’t quite call myself a trojan horse - the sabotage isn’t intentional (at least it’s not consciously intentional) - but I’m just not very good at this relationship thing right now, and I intend to spend the rest of 2012 trying to figure out why.
That’s it for me today. Fellas - single or coupled up - how do you feel about the concept of singledom? Is it all the beer commercials make it out to be, or do you agree that it may be slightly overrated? Also, ladies, are the "single man problems" expressed today at all similar to any "single woman problems?"

Grey's Anatomy Rundown, "Moment of Truth"

Becky Kirsch — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 10:29:56 PDT

As the title of this week's episode of Grey's Anatomy suggests, the moment the Seattle Grace residents have been waiting for has finally arrived: the boards. Jackson, Cristina, April, Meredith, and Karev are all gearing up for the big day, but they each have very different obstacles in their way. April is naturally freaking out, Karev can't get his mind off Morgan and Tommy, and Meredith comes down with the stomach flu at the worst possible time.

And then there are the doctors who aren't taking the test: Lexie is still taunted by her feelings for Mark, Teddy and Owen are at each other's throats, and Webber gives himself a break - with the help of Jackson's mom. Let's break down all the highlights of the episode when you

As the big day inches steadily closer, April is panicking more than ever. When she's not crying or snapping at people, she also finds time to accidentally tip off a fellow doctor that she snatched up the job he wanted for next year. Later, the same doctor drunkenly confronts her about the situation and April really loses her cool - she punches the guy out! High on confidence from her moment, she lunges at Jackson and tells him she's ready to lose her virginity. Jackson is actually really sweet about the whole situation, but April is clearly having some regrets immediately after. First, she kicks Jackson out of bed, then she hilariously freaks out about Jesus "hating her." It initially seems like a little sex might be just what April needs to chill out, but now I'm thinking she may have dug her own grave by giving herself yet another issue to agonize over.
While Jackson is busy making a woman out of his best friend, his mom is also getting a little action. Was anyone else a little weirded out by the way Jackson's sex scene is juxtaposed with his mom's? Mrs. Avery runs to Dr. Webber at the test site in San Francisco, and it's not long before she's whipping out all of her moves over dinner. Dr. Webber acquiesces, and they hop into the sack. It all seems well and good - Webber doesn't even seem to be having any regrets about Adele - until Jackson comes knocking on the door looking for his lucky pencil and instead finds the former chief in a bathrobe. Whoops.
One person who isn't getting any is Lexie, though it's not for lack of wanting. With Jackson away, Mark's a little restless around the hospital, so he turns his attention to Lexie. She does her best to try to keep her distance, but she can't help flirting a little. She even comes close to admitting her feelings but stalls when Mark tells her that she and Jackson made a great couple. Poor Lexie ends up literally crying on Derek's shoulder about how much the situation sucks - but I have a feeling it's all leading up to a big season finale reunion. On a related note - when was the last time Mark even mentioned his girlfriend?
With Meredith battling the flu, Cristina comes to her rescue with lots of Gatorade and other reinforcements (behind the safety of a surgical mask and closed door). The two have a heart to heart where Cristina finally opens up about her issues with Owen, but Meredith has a hard time consoling her when Cristina keeps going back and forth about what she wants to do with Owen. I was fully convinced that these two are done, but now it seems like Cristina is warming up to the idea of a reconciliation - what do you think?
Alex has been keeping his distance since his fallout with Morgan, but he can't stay away from her and baby Tommy this week. Arizona basically has to force him onto the shuttle to San Francisco, but even then he continues to call her every hour with ideas. Eventually he can't take any more and hops back on a plane to Seattle, but he's too late. Arizona informs Karev that it's finally over, and he sits with Morgan as she watches Tommy takes his final breaths. After the heartbreaking scene, Arizona convinces Alex that he should try to get back to SF in time for his boards, but in the final moments of the episode, we learn that he doesn't make it.

With only a few episodes to go, it seems like things are finally starting to get juicy on Grey's. Were you surprised about April and Jackson? Which doctors do you think will pass the boards?

Singer Belinda Carlisle Designs Belindia, a Line of Indian-Inspired Textiles

Stylelist Home — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 04:00:40 PDT

We're happy to present a post from Stylelist Home.

From the top of the '80s music charts to an exclusive home line at Bergdorf Goodman, The Go-Go's lead singer, Belinda Carlisle, is stepping into the world of design with a decor line inspired by one of her favorite locales - India.

"I love everything about India - the colors, the art. It's really an interesting, exciting place to be," says the "Heaven Is A Place On Earth" singer.

Carlisle, 53, describes her line of blankets, cushions and tableware as bohemian yet functional. She's created an "unconventional" collection for the shopper with a "creative brain because it's a lot of mismatched fabric that all work together," she says. "It's one of a kind, hand-done, vibrant and colorful, and it's a good representation of what India is about," she adds.

After moving to France almost 20 years ago, Carlisle started to find herself visiting her India-based friends more and more, she says. Eventually, it just made sense to find a part-time residence there. "It's actually cheaper for me to have a place there than stay at a hotel," she says. And, for the past few years, the multiplatinum-selling artist has split her time between France and India, spending almost half the year in the exotic country.

Then, while promoting her memoir in 2010, Carlisle posted pieces and items she found abroad on her website. Eventually, high-end retailer Bergdorf Goodman took notice and approached her about launching a small textile line."For me, I've always had an interest in design, so it's kind of something that comes natural," she says. "In fact, I think that if I hadn't been a singer, I'd probably be in design some how for sure."

The songstress admits that she thought launching a home line would be easy. Instead, she has spent the last few years traveling and sourcing wools from Calcutta and linens from Kashmir. "It's not just me putting my name on it," says Carlisle. "I actually go to Calcutta and put together the colors. I have no preconceptions of what I'm looking for. I just go with my eye and my good gut instinct of what I like."

We're certainly impressed by Carlisle's new design venture and we're looking forward to seeing more from her. What's your take on this singer turned home decor designer? Let us know in comments below.

5 Things I Wish I Registered For (and 5 I Wish I Hadn't!)

Sara Yoo — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 05:15:01 PDT

Though we may be loathe to admit it, one of the most exciting - and frenzied - moments of wedding planning is setting up a registry. While deep down I knew that marrying the man of my dreams was the best present of all, other visions, like that of a perfectly appointed home, turned me into Dirty Harry with the scanner gun. A fondue set? I'll take two. The enormous countertop convection oven? We'll make room. Salt and pepper shakers shaped like mated doves? You get the picture.

It's easy to go crazy when registering for wedding gifts, but ending up with a pile of things you'll never use results in annoying trips back to the store for returns or very full storage closets. Eight years after my perfect wedding, I can't help but think that I should have provided my generous guests with better direction as I watch the dust collect on the paella pan I've never used. Every bride's needs are different, but I've come up with a list of five items from my registry that are highly underutilized and five items for which that money would have been better spent. Tell us: what are your must-have registry items, and what do you wish you left off your list?

Five Things I Could Have Done Without

Preassembled cookware sets. Those 10- or 12-piece cookware sets may seem like a great deal with many stores advertising "deep" discounts vs. buying individual pieces, but I found that I ended up with pots and pans in sizes I've never used. Take the time to register for individual pieces (you may even find that you like pieces from a few different cookware lines) in standard sizes that make sense for your frying, sautéing, and simmering needs.
Cooking utensils. Basic utensils like rubber spatulas and wooden spoons are a wedding-registry must have. But I've found that many of the specialized tools I thought I would need have gone untouched. There are so many variations of potato mashers, strainers, ladles, and whisks that you ought to take your time finding the perfect one for you.
High-ticket single-use tools. Cookware companies would love to sell you pasta cookers, egg poachers, asparagus pots, and butter warmers, often at a few hundred dollars a pop. My pasta pot rarely sees the light of day, because I opt instead for a standard stockpot and colander (which drains much better, IMO). By investing in the right standard pots and pans, you still can cook any of these items and save room in your kitchen cabinets while you're at it.

For the rest of the list as well as a list of items I'd register for instead, just keep reading.