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Why I Love, Oscar Edition: Sarah Polley

BuzzSugar — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:30:56 PST

Even the dark strike cloud hovering over Hollywood can't dampen the annual awards season excitement about certain projects and actors (Juno! Daniel Day-Lewis! Atonement!). Yet, there's one woman enjoying an equally exciting year who has remained characteristically low-key about it all: Sarah Polley.

Polley has been acting for years, from the TV series Road to Avonlea to off-beat films like Dawn of the Dead and The Sweet Hereafter, and recently she's turned her sights to writing and directing. Her feature length directorial-debut, Away From Her recently earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay. Julie Christie, the star of Polley's film, has already nabbed the Golden Globe and the SAG Award for Best Actress, and may just win the Oscar for her performance. Not too shabby for this 28-year-old's first time behind the camera.

There's more to love about this accomplished lady, however, so

Accolades and serious talent aside, one reason I'm dedicating some space to this performer/filmmaker is how grounded and dedicated to her craft - read: not fame - she seems to be. This is particularly refreshing as she seems to have kept her head about her despite experiencing a high degree of success at an early age (I'm going to go ahead and admit here that I was addicted to Road to Avonlea when I was a little one). Doug Liman, who directed her in Go, spoke of her humility to the New York Times:

"I've offered Sarah a part in everything I’ve made since Go, including the female lead in The Bourne Identity, and she keeps turning me down,” he said. “She has a tremendous amount of ambivalence about this profession, but that makes her a better actress. She has no interest in seeing herself in a magazine, but she does have an acute sensitivity to real human beings. Even going out for lunch with her, it’s hard to scream, ‘Where’s my Diet Coke?’ when Sarah has just been incredibly kind to the waitress.”

Nice to waitresses? And she calls herself a movie star! Thankfully, despite her ambivalence toward show business, this multi-talented lady has plenty of projects in the works, and with all the attention her movie is getting this year, she'll have even more power to only work on what speaks to her. That can only lead to good things for all of us.

Source

What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 12:27:00 PDT

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 these titles, the big DVD releases today include the 3rd season of "Grey's Anatomy," the second season of "Supernatural" as well as the second season of "Bones."

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
This HBO movie is now at the top of my Netflix queue, since I unfortunately missed it when it aired. The story laces together the stories of three characters starting soon after the bloody Sioux victory over General Custer at Little Big Horn. Adam Beach plays Sioux doctor Charles Eastman, August Schellenberg is the proud Lakota chief Sitting Bull and Aidan Quinn plays Senator Henry Dawes. Anna Paquin also stars as a schoolteacher working to improve reservation life. The DVD features some good extras, including one commentary by director Yves Simoneau and another by actors Aidan Quinn and Adam Beach. In addition there are behind-the-scenes featurettes: Making History, The Heart of a People, Telling the Story, and an Interactive historical guide prepared by the film’s screenwriter.

Two more new titles so

Away From Her
One of the most lovingly told dramas of the year so far, Away From Her tells the poignant story of a marriage being tested by the onset of Alzheimers. First-time director Sarah Polley provides a truthful and achingly beautiful portrayal of an older couple grappling with this disease. It could have easily fallen into the realm of over-sentimentality, but Polley's deft direction keeps the narrative flowing and the story rooted in reality. To read more of my thoughts on Away From Her, check out my review.

The Starter Wife
This summer's USA mini-series based on the Gigi Levangie Grazer novel features Deborah Messing in the role of wealthy LA mother Molly whose divorce leaves her feeling old and unhinged. She stays at her friend Joan's beachside home and has an extremely eventful summer, including new friends, a couple love interests and a very funny scene in which Molly pretends to be Joan's trashy sister in order to break her friend out of rehab. I'm not thrilled with the way the mini-series ends, but the rest of the series is a satisfying watch. Plus, it was nominated for 10 Emmys so it must have done something right!

Away From Her: Poignant But Not Sappy

BuzzSugar — Fri, 11 May 2007 06:44:25 PDT

I went into the Away From Her movie screening with a stack of tissues, fully prepared to bawl my eyes out over this story about a marriage being tested by Alzheimer's. Yet the sobfest never happened. The story is mostly sad, it's true, but it is also realistically told and casts an unapologetic light on each character. So while there is great sympathy for them, the movie never cycles through devastation to rest on being trite. This is a relief - not to mention a difficult balance to strike for a first-time director like Sarah Polley.

The luminous Julie Christie plays Fiona, a woman who appears to be developing Alzheimer's disease at a surprisingly young age. Her husband Grant (Gordon Pinset) is reluctant to admit this despite Fiona's inability to remember the word for "wine," and lapses of memory which cause her to wander the streets of the town they've lived in for 20 years. Fiona insists on being admitted to a home for Alzheimer's patients, presumably because she read a book explaining how difficult Alzheimer's patients can be when living with their spouses. The drama picks up once Fiona goes to live at the home, however, so

At the home Fiona becomes attached to a wheelchair-bound man named Aubrey (Michael Murphy) whom she adores because he doesn't expect her to remember things, and because he needs her. When her husband comes to visit, she is polite but vaguely annoyed that he is taking time away from her new relationship. As time goes by, Fiona forgets more and more of her life with her husband, and builds a new life with Aubrey. Grant befriends Aubrey's wife Marion (Olympia Dukakis), and during his painful visits to the home he finds support in a kindhearted attendant Kristy (Kristen Thomas), who provides a basis of logic about what is happening to Grant's wife.

The wintry Canadian landscape provides incredible beauty (pink sunsets, snow-covered cottages, etc.) and a chilling quietude, at once familiar and coldly ominous. In addition to directing the film, Polley wrote the screenplay based on a short story she read while visiting Iceland. The writing is superb not only in character development and story arc, but in its poetic dialogue. Lines like these leap from the screen as perhaps the short story leapt out at Polley: "Sometimes there's something delicious in oblivion," and "People want to be in love every single day - what a liability!"

Away From Her is largely a showcase for the female characters, and it is this that makes the movie so compelling and so complex. Grant is a central character but essentially fades away amidst so many intriguing women. Whenever people lament the lack of "meaty" women's roles in film today I will be thrilled to suggest this movie.

Photos courtesy of Lionsgate

Movie Preview: Away From Her

BuzzSugar — Tue, 08 May 2007 03:58:07 PDT

Already playing in select theaters, Away From Her has been slowly gaining buzz from its screenings at various film festivals for its flawless performances and beautiful direction. Directed by first-timer Sarah Polley, the movie tells a poignant tale of a long-term marriage being tested by Alzheimer's. This movie has been repeatedly popping up in my day-to-day conversations and I keep seeing rave reviews for it, so I've taken the hint: it's time to see this film. Stay tuned for my review, and in the meantime you can watch the trailer if you

Photo courtesy of Lionsgate

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!

Shawn Johnson Talks Weight Loss and Learning to Love Her Body

espnW — Fri, 25 May 2012 03:05:26 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from espnW here on FitSugar!

By Shawn Johnson

Shawn Johnson is blogging for espnW throughout her training for the Olympics in London this summer. Follow hers other Olympic hopefuls' journeys on espnW.com.

Four years ago, I was standing on an Olympic podium, wearing a gold medal, and still thinking to myself how I could have been better. It had nothing to do with my performance - it was all how I looked. Back then, I always felt like I could have been a few pounds lighter. But the irony is, when I look back at the pictures, I look unhealthy and too thin. It's easy to get into a trap as an elite athlete, because you're made to feel that you're never perfect, that you can always be better. That's how you improve in your sport, but it's also tough because you aren't satisfied with yourself ever - it's second nature not to be. I'd always think, "Just get a little stronger, a little lighter," until it was completely ingrained in my mind.

Shawn Johnson takes us inside training camp

It's easy for people to blame gymnastics for this mentality, but I feel like the sport has improved a lot. The horror stories we heard from generations ago (think Joan Ryan's infamous book Little Girls in Pretty Boxes), you don't hear at all anymore. But I do believe it can improve further and that good nutrition could be a key to all of this, if it were only taught at a young age. Many gymnasts go into the elite level at 13 or so, and a 13-year-old isn't going to go to the library to read some book on nutrition! She needs to be given the right information on how to eat well. Otherwise, it's not until she's out of the sport that she realizes the damage she's done to her body by not eating enough over the past 20 years.

Shawn Johnson in the driver's seat

I see all the success we have as a country where the gymnasts aren't 100 percent healthy, and I imagine how amazing we could be if we were doing it in the healthiest way possible. I don't think it's a failure on anybody's part; the education just isn't there right now, and it's just not thought about in our sport. My parents have told me since I was little, "You're given your body for a reason. It's OK to be different. Being unique is a good thing." But I always struggled to believe it. I'm stocky, muscular and short, and I wanted to be thin and flexible so bad! My mom would say, "You're not made that way, and you're not going to become that, so you have to learn to accept and love the body you're in." Well, some people are born with that appreciation, and some people have to work really hard to get there. Put me in that second camp.

Read on for more on what Shawn Johnson has to say about body confidence and how she feels in her gymnastics leotard.

What Foods Did You Despise as a Child but Grow to Love as an Adult?

Lauren Hendrickson — Thu, 24 May 2012 10:15:24 PDT

Every child has a food that's an absolute no. It varies by kid; my niece loves everything from asparagus to calamari to brussels sprouts, but she'll turn her nose up at mushrooms every time, no matter how they're prepared.

When I was growing up, I was a pretty adventurous eater, but I despised frozen peas - so much that I made up an elaborate story about them being my doll's favorite thing on the entire planet and got away with passing along my helping to her whenever the vegetable was served at dinner. For most of my life, I continued my disdain of peas of all kinds: frozen, canned, and fresh. Then one Spring, I popped open one of those English pea pods at the farmers market and fell in love. Now, whenever this time of year rolls around, I can't wait to shell fresh peas.

I'm curious to know your stories: what foods did you hate as a kid that you've since learned to love?

Photo: Lauren Hendrickson

5 Steps to Your Best Blowout Ever

Allure — Thu, 24 May 2012 06:05:00 PDT

We're happy to present this story from our friends at Allure:

It's not every day you get a lesson in blowouts from Alli Webb, founder of the Drybar blowout bars. Rule number one: If you've gotten your blowouts down to 10 minutes, you're doing something wrong. (Sorry!) Webb gave me the rundown on the other most common styling mistakes - and how to get the ultimate results. Get her advice when you read more.

Space-Saving Decor Tips For Kids' Rooms From Design Expert Kelly Edwards

Lisa Horten — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:40:01 PDT

We recently caught up with design expert Kelly Edwards, who has been featured on HGTV's Design on a Dime and Style Network's Tacky House for her scrappy style and ability to transform ordinary rooms into incredible spaces, even on a budget. Kelly's decorating and design expertise apply to any room in the house, but we were eager to hear her ideas specifically for lil ones, and she didn't disappoint! Read on for five of Kelly's best tips for making your kids' rooms organized, creative, and playful spaces that can grow along with them.

Kelly Edwards's 5 Pieces of Design Advice That Every Mom Can Put to Use

On Space Saving and Storage: Look for furniture pieces that your kids are going to grow into. Stay away from the typical bins and baskets, and instead opt for some really cool furniture for a more put-together look. Whether it's a midcentury modern credenza that's been in your family for years or a thrift-shop find, not all furniture has to scream "kids!"
On Coordinating With the Rest of Your Home: Your kids' rooms are where you can really have some fun. Visitors will judge your home on your kitchen and your bathroom. They're not the ones spending time in the bedrooms, you and your children are. Turn their rooms into places for creativity, and don't be afraid to try out that fun paint color.
On Trends: Remember, it's just $20 or so for a can of paint, so wall colors are a great place to try out a trend like neon. If that scares you, get a giant canvas, and paint that instead of the wall. Tack their artwork up on it. It'll add a splash of color to the room without your having to worry about repainting.
On Making the Most of Small Spaces: Look for ottomans with removable tops - you can stash everything in there! In a nursery that doubles as a guest room, put a twin bed in there along with your crib, but be sure to buy an upholstered box spring with drawers built in, so that you have extra storage without the boxes and bins showing.
On DIY With Kids: A fun DIY project that your kids can partake in is to find an old TV armoire and paint it with chalkboard paint, which you can either buy at the store or make yourself by mixing a cup of latex paint with two tablespoons of unsanded tile grout. The armoire becomes a great storage piece, and the chalkboard paint turns it into a piece of furniture that they can really have fun with.

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.