BuzzSugar

What to Rent: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:30:00 PDT

I like to go through a little bit of post-Oscars decompression wherein I watch movies that are closer to the fun side of the spectrum. Thankfully, there a few new popcorn flicks out on DVD and ripe for rental, and though there's one nominee in the mix, it's still an easy one to watch.

Did You Hear About the Morgans?

Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker star in romantic comedy Did You Hear About the Morgans? as a married but separated couple who witness a murder and have to go into the witness protection program. The NYC residents and staunch city slicker stereotypes are shipped off to Montana, to their extreme discomfort, where they of course reconnect. It's an entirely predictable plot, but it makes a decent rental if you're a rom-com lover.

The DVD extras include a blooper reel, deleted scenes, and commentary track with the director and Parker and Grant.

13%

The Princess and the Frog

Disney's latest animated film, The Princess and the Frog may not have won the Oscar, but the tale, of a princess who falls for a frog (really a dashing prince) is a sweet one. It may be intended for a younger audience, but Disney's movies rarely disappoint - especially since the '20s-set flick is a jazzy musical, with not one but two tunes that were up for best original song this year.

Extras on the DVD include deleted scenes, a music video by Ne-Yo, a "Princess Portraits" game, and featurettes such as one about the movie's return to hand-drawn animation.

85%

Check out one more new release when you

Astro Boy

Astro Boy is another animated movie available today, and this time it's a futuristic, CGI film based on the Japanese series. The main characters are voiced by a few actors I like, with Freddie Highmore as the robotic boy himself, Kristen Bell as Cora, and Bill Nighy as the villain, Dr. Elefun.

Bonus features on the DVD include a couple of animated shorts starring Astro Boy, interviews with the animators, and clips of the actors in the voice-over booth.

49%

What Is the Best Animated Movie of 2009?

BuzzSugar — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 07:30:00 PST

This year seemed to have particularly strong animated films. They were visually mesmerizing (Coraline), provided a few tearful moments (Up), and most catered to our adult sense of humor, too (Fantastic Mr. Fox). No wonder several are being considered for an Oscar! Tell me, which did you enjoy most?

Don't forget to vote on all of my Best of 2009 polls!

Buzz In: Which Animated Movie Is Most Oscar-Worthy?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:30:37 PST

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences issued a press release today, announcing that 20 films have been submitted for Best Animated Film consideration at this year's Oscars. This means there could be five movies competing at the awards show in March. (In the history of the category, there have typically been only three.) So who is up for the honor?

Some are obvious choices. Up, for example, comes as no surprise thanks to its huge accolades. I also think Coraline stands a chance, as well as Fantastic Mr. Fox (look for my review on Friday!). But Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel seems like a long shot - even though it hasn't hit theaters yet, so I'm just making an early prediction. (Sorry, Alvin.)

With 10 movies in the Best Picture category, I wouldn't be surprised if some of these films end up with more than one nomination. Check out the full list of animated film contenders, and tell me which you think is most deserving of an Oscar when you

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Astro Boy
Battle For Terra
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
Coraline
Disney's A Christmas Carol
The Dolphin – Story of a Dreamer
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Mary and Max
The Missing Lynx
Monsters vs. Aliens
9
Planet 51
Ponyo
The Princess and the Frog
The Secret of Kells
Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
A Town Called Panic
Up

Movie Preview: Astro Boy

BuzzSugar — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 13:30:46 PDT

Back at Comic-Con I was treated to a sneak peek at Astro Boy, Summit's CG-animated film based on the Japanese TV series. At the time, the movie was overshadowed by New Moon anticipation, but I finally got a chance to see the cool, futuristic trailer without distraction.

Freddie Highmore voices the title character, a boy robot who's been engineered to perfection with all kinds of fun gadgets. Things seem to be going fine for Astro and his pals (including Cora, voiced by Kristen Bell) until the evil Dr. Elefun (Bill Nighy) decides the robo-boy would be a perfect addition to his army. Just like geeksugar, I've got a soft spot for robots, so I'm diggin' this pint-sized superhero. Check out the trailer and let me know if you agree.

To see the trailer, just

Buzz News Roundup, 8/25

BuzzSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:30:47 PDT

Meet the new Dancing With the Stars contestants and pros - including So You Think You Can Dance's Lacey Schwimmer as the newest pro! - The Futon Critic
Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel in Disney's The Little Mermaid, will be voicing Barbie in Toy Story 3 with Michael Keaton voicing Ken. In related news, Kristen Bell will voice the female lead in Astro Boy. - ComingSoon
Fox will stream the Fringe and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles premieres for college students. - Zap2it
Makeup artists will compete on Lifetime's show Blush, a companion to Project Runway. - Variety
Sean Astin, Celia Weston, and Sara Foster are joining Michael Vartan and David Cross in the indie comedy Demoted. - Hollywood Reporter
Barenaked Ladies singer Ed Robertson survived a plane crash in Ontario. - E! Online
Michael Phelps already has a book deal; his memoir is due out around the holidays. - Variety
The creator of Skins wants to do a show about 10- to 15-year-olds next. - The Guardian

Source

Buzz News Roundup, 6/16

BuzzSugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:36:25 PDT

M.I.A. announced her retirement from live shows at Bonnaroo, NME reports - while the Associated Press details how Kanye West angered the crowd by delaying his show till 4:25 a.m.
Veteran screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan (Return of the Jedi, Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Big Chill) will write the script for a film adaptation of the 1980s cartoon Robotech, with Tobey Maguire producing, writes Hollywood Reporter.
Speaking of The Big Chill, its star William Hurt will reunite with Glenn Close in season two of Damages, Variety reports.
According to ComingSoon the voice cast for a CG-animated movie version of Astro Boy has been announced, with Freddie Highmore in the main role and Bill Nighy, Donald Sutherland and Nathan Lane (among others) supporting.
West Wing star Janel Moloney is among four actors cast in an ABC fantasy pilot called Captain Cook's Extraordinary Atlas, reports Zap2it.
Variety reports that while The Incredible Hulk reigned supreme in U.S. theaters over the weekend, The Happening was No. 1 at the box office overseas.
Jason Bateman has scored a deal to develop series at Fox, writes the Hollywood Reporter. Meanwhile, in other Arrested Development alumni news, writers of Mitchell Hurwitz's show Sit Down, Shut Up are striking to get WGA benefits.
Coldplay's latest album Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends "raced" to the top spot on U.K. charts, writes Billboard.

Source

Batter Up: A Baseball-Themed Baby Shower For a Lil Slugger-to-Be

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 06:16:41 PDT

Hey batter, batter, swiiiing, batter! Who says a baby shower must be filled with pastels and frills. When Annika Lawrence learned her sister-in-law was expecting a baby boy, the graphic designer and Cakes Likes a Party blogger knew exactly how to plan the party. Using the daddy-to-be's childhood love of baseball as a theme, she and her mother created backyard ballpark barbecue to fete the pregnant couple. Complete with AstroTurf table cloths, a batting helmet sundae bar, and a seventh-inning stretch before dessert, the shower was a fun change of pace from traditional baby themes. Keep reading to see all the details.

Source: Cakes Likes a Party