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What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:30:01 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 the titles below you can also watch the Tom Hanks-Julia Roberts political movie Charlie Wilson's War and the horror flick One Missed Call.

Cloverfield
With the release of Cloverfield to DVD it seems like this is one JJ Abrams chapter that has officially come to an end (well, at least until the sequel comes out, and the viral marketing campaign for that will surely precede it by about a year). Cloverfield was so overly hyped that I had some reservations going into the movie, but I was happy to report that I had been worried for nothing. It is a frightening monster movie that kept my heart racing.

This movie also earned a reputation for the shaky-cam visual style making some people feel nauseated, though if you were worried about that on the big screen, your home entertainment center will likely make for a much mellower experience. The movie follows a gaggle of 20-somethings at a going away party in New York. When the city comes under attack by a monster, what ensues is a great balance of action, relief, tender moments and "real-life" drama and humor.

As expected, this DVD is packed full of special features including commentary by director Matt Reeves, alternate endings, and the making of the film.

Two more excellent (albeit dark) films out this week, so

read more. The Savages The Savages has some amazing talent in it, including the incomparable Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman who play siblings, with a touching performance by Philip Bosco as their father. The story centers around a scenario few of us will escape in our lifetime: dealing with an aging parent. In the movie, this situation is made even more complicated by the fact that the father has been estranged from his children for decades. The film was one of the year's best and earned Oscar nominations for both Laura Linney and writer Tamara Jenkins. Special features include an "About the Savages" featurette, some director's snapshots and an extended scene. The Orphanage Omigosh, if Cloverfield isn't scary enough for you, I can guarantee that this film will haunt you for days, if not weeks. Giggle reviewed The Orphanage for me while I worked up the nerve to check it out for myself, and then once I did I totally agreed with every thing she wrote. This Spanish-language film doesn't rely on CGI effects or grotesque torture scenes to scare the you-know-what out of you. Instead, it's an old-fashioned ghost story that follows a woman who returns to the orphanage of her youth to refashion it as a school for disabled children. But when her son starts to exhibit disturbing behavior, she is pulled into the creepy secrets of the house and thus unfolds a super scary movie. I highly recommend this one but you may need a shoulder to bury your head into or a hand to hold - I would not tackle this alone! Special featurettes include: "When Laura Grew Up: Constructing the Orphanage"; "Tomas' Secret Room (The Filmmakers)"; and "Horror in the Unknown: Makeup Effects."

Tom Hanks Is Ready For the War in Hollywood to End

PopSugar — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 08:11:04 PST

Tom Hanks headed to Paris to promote Charlie Wilson's War with director Mike Nichols on Friday. Tom is up for a Golden Globe on Sunday, but his mind is already on the fate of the Oscars. Along with George Clooney, Tom is one of the many stars who is ready to get back to work and attend the Academy Awards. He said, "The show must go on, that is one of the tenets of everything. I am a member of the board of governors of the Academy, and we definitely want to put on a great show and honor the films that have come out in the course of the year."

No word yet on whether or not the actors will have an effect on the strike negotiations, but we're keeping our fingers crossed that Tom, George and all of our other favorite celebs will be walking the red carpet for the Oscars in February.

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Box Office: Book of Secrets Is Truly a National Treasure

BuzzSugar — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 07:30:00 PST

For the second lucrative weekend in a row, the National Treasure sequel Book of Secrets has taken the box office crown, raking in $35.6 million. Edging out I Am Legend for second place was Alvin and the Chipmunks, which brought in $29 million. Legend's $27 million brought it to No. 3 with Charlie Wilson's War taking in way less ($11 million) but still grabbing fourth place.

Happily, the little indie movie that could, Juno, made the list of top five movies at the box office over this final weekend of 2007! Variety points out that Juno, which took in $10 million its fourth weekend in theaters, "was up a whopping 201% from the previous weekend," and both weekends the movie played in 998 theaters. That is an awesome success, homeskillet.

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

National Treasure is Golden Over Holiday Weekend

BuzzSugar — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 09:15:35 PST

National Treasure: Book of Secrets, the sequel to Nicolas Cage's 2004 hit, scored big at the box office over the long holiday weekend, bringing in an estimated $65 million in the five-day period between Friday and Tuesday.

I Am Legend finished second, pulling in an estimated $47.5 million over the five days. Fox wouldn't estimate how much money Alvin and the Chipmunks made over the long weekend, but as of Sunday it had brought in $29 million and was in third place behind National Treasure and Legend.

Two Golden Globe nominees, Charlie Wilson's War and Sweeney Todd, battled for fourth and fifth place. Charlie Wilson brought in $14.8 million over five days, edging Sweeney Todd with $12.8 million.

Other notable numbers: P.S. I Love You finished sixth with $9.1 million. Meanwhile, Walk Hard failed to match the heights of Superbad or Knocked Up, bringing in just $5.8 million.

Next week's numbers should be interesting, as three relatively big movies - Alien Vs. Predator: Requiem, The Great Debaters, and The Water Horse - opened on Christmas Day.

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Charlie Wilson’s War: Eye-Opening Entertainment

GiggleSugar — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 13:30:50 PST

Note: I asked GiggleSugar to go to write up this review, and she graciously agreed. Thanks, Giggle!

Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks) is a Texas Congressman who drinks whisky in the morning, whose single notable legislative achievement is having been re-elected five times, and who hires only sexy young women as aides. “You can teach ‘em to type,” his secretary quotes him as saying, “but you can’t teach ‘em to grow tits.”

Yet we see him in a flash forward at the beginning of Charlie Wilson’s War receiving an unusual military honor for playing a part in helping to end the Cold War between the Soviets and the US. How do we reconcile the ne’er-do-well Charlie with the unlikely hero Charlie?

Based on a true story and adapted from a book by George Crile, Charlie Wilson’s War is a smart and fast-paced comedy written by Aaron Sorkin (West Wing) and directed by Mike Nichols that seeks not only to answer the question of Charlie’s transformation but also to explain the complicated history of the U.S.’s often covert involvement in global affairs. It does this in an engaging way by focusing on the flawed people who turn the wheels of history. The film manages a difficult balancing act: it is informative without being boring, entertaining without being trivial, and political without being partisan. To see more what I mean,

read more. In an opening scene, Charlie Wilson, a Texas Congressman who is on the war appropriations subcommittee, is hanging out in a hot tub with a few naked strippers and a sleazy-looking guy who’s trying to sell him on financing a movie starring his Playboy centerfold girlfriend. Instead of being fixated on the broads, booze and blow that surround him, Charlie continues to be distracted by a news program with Dan Rather interviewing Afghan soldiers. Charlie tries to get some dialogue going with his riffraff pals, but nobody seems interested in Afghanistan or even knows where it is. Back in Washington, Charlie’s interest in the Afghan cause deepens. Like other Americans who are watching the news, he only knows the basics. Afghanistan is being repeatedly invaded and pummeled by the Soviet army, and against their modern tanks and missiles, the Afghans only have outmoded guns. In addition to the danger that the Soviets will continue their “commie” expansion, the human cost of Afghan lives (particularly women and children) affects the Congressman. His goal is to raise more funds in order to arm the Afghan mujahadeen ("fighters") with modern weapons so that they can shoot down the Soviet helicopters that menace them. Throughout the course of the film, Charlie enlists the aid of a wealthy socialite, the brittle and powerful Joanne (Julia Roberts), a born-again Christian who is passionate about freedom of religion for the Afghans and who holds fundraisers for their cause. (Somehow, she also knows the President of Pakistan and arranges for Charlie to meet him.) He also gets help from a burnt-out CIA operative Gust Avrakatos (played by a hilarious Philip Seymour Hoffman) who clues Charlie in on how little the U.S. is doing to covertly aid the Afghan army. With effective - if at times caricatured - performances from its actors, crisp and witty dialogue, and a bittersweet ending that makes the viewer see there’s a gray area between winning and losing a war, Charlie Wilson’s War is infotainment at its finest. To see the trailer and more clips from Charlie Wilson's War, check out movies.ivillage.com. Source

Charlie Wilson's War Goes All Black in NYC

Molly — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 10:00:19 PST

Last night's NYC screening of Charlie Wilson's War was a formal affair with not a whole lot of color at all on the red carpet. Tom Hanks was there with one of his costars and fellow Golden Globe nominees, Philip Seymour Hoffman, but not Julia Roberts. While their leading lady wasn't around, a breakthrough redheaded actress with a gorgeous smile (and GG acting nominee) Amy Adams looked great in her LBD. Meanwhile, always love Steve Martin - even though my disdain for fedoras is no big secret he looks kinda awesome in his. Considering the recognition that Tom, Philip and Amy are getting for their roles this year, methinks we'll be seeing a lot of them in fancy wear as award season ramps up.

To see more from the premiere including Colin Hanks, Dan Rather, Diane Sawyer, Donna Karan, Diane von Furstenberg and others just read more

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Images include Amy Adams, Barry Diller, Christine Baranski, Colin Hanks, Dan Rather, Donna Karan, Diane Sawyer, Diane von Furstenberg, Marlo Thomas, Matthew Broderick, Mike Nichols, Phil Donahue, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, and Wynn Everett. Source and Source

Atonement Leads Golden Globe Nominations

BuzzSugar — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 06:49:17 PST

Atonement came up big this morning when the nominations for the Golden Globe Awards were announced in Hollywood. The film snagged seven nominations - three for the acting of stars James McAvoy,
Keira Knightley, and Saoirse Ronan and four more for Best Dramatic Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Score.

Also getting a lot of attention from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association: Charlie Wilson's War, which snagged five nominations, including Best Musical or Comedy and acting nominations for Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Sweeney Todd, Michael Clayton, and No Country for Old Men were close behind with four nominations each.

In the television categories, cable series got a lot of love, including new shows Californication, Damages, and Mad Men.

I'll be back with my complete thoughts later today, but for now, you can check out all the nominees if you

read more. MOVIES DRAMATIC PICTURE American Gangster Atonement Eastern Promises The Great Debaters Michael Clayton No Country For Old Men There Will Be Blood MUSICAL OR COMEDY PICTURE Across the Universe Charlie Wilson's War Hairspray Juno Sweeney Todd FOREIGN LANGUAGE PICTURE 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (Romania) The Diving Bell & the Butterfly (France/USA) The Kite Runner (USA) Lust, Caution (Taiwan) Persepolis (France) BEST DIRECTOR Tim Burton, Sweeney Todd Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men Julian Schnabel, Diving Bell & the Butterfly Ridley Scott, American Gangster Joe Wright, Atonement BEST DRAMATIC ACTOR George Clooney, Michael Clayton Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood James McAvoy, Atonement Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises Denzel Washington, The Great Debaters BEST DRAMATIC ACTRESS Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth: The Golden Age Julie Christie, Away From Her Jodie Foster, The Brave One Angelina Jolie, A Mighty Heart Keira Knightley, Atonement BEST ACTOR, COMEDY OR MUSICAL Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd Tom Hanks, Charlie Wilson's War Ryan Gosling, Lars and the Real Girl Philip Seymour Hoffman, Savages John C. Reilly, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story BEST ACTRESS, COMEDY OR MUSICAL Amy Adams, Enchanted Nikki Blonsky, Hairspray Helena Bonham Carter, Sweeney Todd Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose Ellen Page, Juno SUPPORTING ACTOR Casey Affleck, Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men Philip Seymour Hoffman, Charlie Wilson's War John Travolta, Hairspray Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton SUPPORTING ACTRESS Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There Saoirse Ronan, Atonement Julia Roberts, Charlie Wilson's War Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton SCREENPLAY Diablo Cody, Juno Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men Christopher Hampton, Atonement Ronald Harwood, The Diving Bell & the Butterfly Aaron Sorkin, Charlie Wilson's War ANIMATED FILM Bee Movie Ratatouille The Simpsons Movie ORIGINAL SCORE Dario Marianelli, Atonement Howard Shore, Eastern Promises Clint Eastwood, Grace is Gone Michael Brook, Into the Wild Alberto Iglesias, The Kite Runner TELEVISION DRAMATIC TV SERIES Big Love Damages Grey's Anatomy House Mad Men The Tudors BEST ACTOR, TV DRAMA Michael C. Hall, Dexter Jon Hamm, Mad Men Hugh Laurie, House Jonathan Rhys Meyers, The Tudors Bill Paxton, Big Love BEST ACTRESS, TV DRAMA Patricia Arquette, Medium Glenn Close, Damages Minnie Driver, The Riches Edie Falco, The Sopranos Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters Holly Hunter, Saving Grace Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer TV SERIES, MUSICAL OR COMEDY Californication Entourage Extras 30 Rock Pushing Daisies BEST ACTOR, TV MUSICAL OR COMEDY Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock Steve Carell, The Office David Duchovny, Californication Ricky Gervais, Extras Lee Pace, Pushing Daisies BEST ACTRESS, TV MUSICAL OR COMEDY Christina Applegate, Samantha Who? America Ferrera, Ugly Betty Tina Fey, 30 Rock Anna Friel, Pushing Daisies Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds BEST MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee The Company 5 Days The State Within Longford BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Bryce Dallas Howard, As You Like It Debra Messing, The Starter Wife Queen Latifah, Life Support Sissy Spacek, Pictures of Hollis Woods Ruth Wilson, Jane Eyre BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINI-SERIES OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Adam Beach, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee Ernest Borgnine, A Grandpa For Christmas Jim Broadbent, Longford James Isaacs, The State Within James Nesbitt, Jekyll BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Rose Byrne, Damages Rachel Griffiths, Brothers & Sisters Katherine Heigl, Grey's Anatomy Samantha Morton, Longford Anna Paquin, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee Jamie Pressly, My Name is Earl BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Ted Danson, Damages Kevin Dillon, Entourage Jeremy Piven, Entourage Andy Serkis, Longford William Shatner, Boston Legal Donald Sutherland, Dirty Sexy Money Source

Tom and Julia Debut Charlie Wilson's War in LA

Molly — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:14:48 PST

Julia Roberts looked stunning in black on the red carpet showing off Charlie Wilson's War in LA last night. Of course, Tom Hanks was there with his wife Rita Wilson alongside the real man of the hour, Congressman Charlie Wilson himself. This movie is already among the shortlist for award season front runners, and it's definitely one of the films left this year that I can't wait to see (I'm trying hard to finish the book before the movie comes out, we'll see how that goes). I guess we'll see what happens on Thursday morning when the Golden Globe nominations are announced. So soon! Anything/anyone you're hoping gets a nod?

To see more from the premiere including Diane Sawyer, Jud Taylor, Tom, Julia, Charlie and others just read more

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Images include Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Jud Taylor, Charlie Wilson, Diane Sawyer, Mike Nichols, Danielle Panabaker Source

Movie Preview: Charlie Wilson's War

BuzzSugar — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 13:30:00 PDT

I got so absorbed in watching this trailer for Charlie Wilson's War I completely forgot that the lead actor is Tom Hanks. And this is just from a two-and-a-half minute preview. Some folks are already whispering about the Oscar potential for this film, which opens December 25.

The movie seems like it will smoothly skate that line between comedy and drama. It appears to be a character-driven story that also focuses on covert international politics in the 1980s. Hanks plays Texas congressman whose secret dealings in Afghanistan - assisting rebels in their war with the Soviets - have some "unforeseen and long-reaching effects," like, apparently forming "the backbone of Al-Qaeda and the Taliban."

The trailer implies that the real brains behind these operations is a smart, wealthy Texas woman, Joanne Herring (played with sass by Julia Roberts). I already like this movie. To check out the trailer (which, to top everything off, features some great songs),

Julia Has Her Hands Full

PopSugar — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 00:26:36 PST

Julia was snapped taking Phinnaeus and Hazel aboard a private jet with their nanny the other day. The kids are so cute and Hazel totally has her profile. As if the actress doesn't have her hands full already, she'll soon have another little one to take along with her on trips as well. She'll probably have to hire more help, especially with the next few films she's working on.

Her latest is Charlie Wilson's War, which is based on the book by George Crile. The film stars Tom Hanks as Charlie Wilson, a fast-talking Texas congressman who manipulates the government into helping Afghan rebels fight the Soviets in the 80s. Julia plays a Texas socialite named Joanne Herring who is involved with the plan as well. Phillip Seymour Hoffman will bring his awesome acting skills to the movie too. The film doesn't come out until December, but it's just in time for Julia to be eligible for the Oscars! For more pics including Julia's husband, Danny kissing his family goodbye just

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