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What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 07:30:33 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 my picks below, you can now watch Cadillac Records, Let the Right One In, and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas in the comfort of your own home.

Milk
If you still haven't seen Milk after all the months of accolades and awards, now's your chance to learn what all the fuss is about. In addition to being an incredibly moving story based on the real life of San Francisco gay activist Harvey Milk, it's wonderfully acted and directed. It's everything a biopic ought to be, right down to beautifully recreating the events of such an extraordinary life.

The cast is full of talented, adorable actors, like Sean Penn (who won the Oscar for his portrayal of Milk), James Franco, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna, and Emile Hirsch. I am anxious to watch it again, even though it's so heartbreaking.

Special features include deleted scenes, a featurette about remembering Harvey, and another titled "Hollywood comes to San Francisco."

So much more to recommend, so

Rachel Getting Married
Even though this heavy portrayal of familial heartache and forgiveness is intense to watch, I highly recommend it. You may have noticed Anne Hathaway at a couple of awards shows this year - all due to this movie (not Bride Wars, just in case there's any confusion on that). Rosemarie Dewitt, also a phenomenal actress, is another reason to add this to your queue.

Special features include deleted scenes, filmmaker and cast commentaries, and "A Look Behind the Scenes of Rachel Getting Married."

Synecdoche, New York
You know him as the writer of such films as Being John Malkovich and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and now Charlie Kaufman can add "Director" to his filmography with Synecdoche, NY. The movie stars Philip Seymour Hoffman as Caden Cotard, a local theater director struggling to maintain his marriage with his more-famous wife, Adele (Catherine Keener). When she takes off for Germany with their daughter and Caden receives a grant, he decides to stage a giant-scale theater piece about life, setting it inside a towering replica of New York. It's a complicated, difficult, sometimes frustrating piece of cinema but I found the experience to be totally worthwhile.

Featurettes include "The Story of Caden Cotard: In Conversation With Philip Seymour Hoffman," "Infectious Diseases in Cattle: Blogger's Roundtable," and "NFTS/Script Masterclass with Charlie Kaufman."

Happy-Go-Lucky
I called this movie a sweet slice of life when I first saw it and I was thrilled when the talented Sally Hawkins won the Golden Globe for her performance in it. The movie is essentially plotless, focusing mostly on a woman whose outlook on life remains defiantly sunny despite the world's inevitable darkness and sorrow. It's so moving because despite it's bright and colorful surface, the film is also a meditation on sadness, longing, confusion, and hopefulness. You know, the stuff of life.

Special features include commentary by director Mike Leigh and the featurettes "Behind the wheel of Happy-Go-Lucky" and "Happy-in-character."

What Are Your Favorite Scenes From This Year's Oscar-Nominated Movies?

BuzzSugar — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:30:48 PST

I keep thinking about this great scene in The Wrestler between Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei's characters in a bar. I won't give it away for those who haven't seen the movie yet but it involves some funny dialogue between the two about the decade they agree was the best. It's a small, intimate moment rendered so perfectly that you completely forget you're watching two actors - it feels more like overhearing a conversation at your local dive bar.

Sometimes a movie contains a scene so well-done it has the power to stick around in our minds for years and years. Like one of the most romantic scenes in Wall-E: Eve and Wall-E's dance among the stars. So. Freaking. Cute. Not to mention beautiful. And Happy Go-Lucky contains an intense scene between the main character and her driving instructor that's so unsettling it will take me a long time to shake it off.

Sometimes I think there should be an Academy Award category for Best Scene! What do you think? Which scenes from this year's Oscar-nominated films stick out to you the most?

The Wrestler photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight, Wall-E image courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures, and Happy Go-Lucky photo courtesy of Miramax

Happy-Go-Lucky: A Sweet and Stirring Slice of Life

BuzzSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 06:30:13 PDT

When Happy-Go Lucky begins we meet Poppy, a single woman in her 30s, who has just discovered a new bookstore and does her darnedest to charm the store clerk with her goofy persona - despite the fact he's completely annoyed and hardly acknowledges her. This opening struck me as awfully precarious and could have easily bombed due to Poppy's perkiness, but it doesn't.

And that's because the star of the movie, Sally Hawkins, who plays the optimistic Poppy, is so brilliant in this role, and this would-be cringe-worthy moment successfully launches one of the sweetest movies I've seen in a long time. To see why I loved it so,

The movie is essentially plotless and is more of a character study, focusing on a woman whose outlook on life remains defiantly sunny despite the world's inevitable darkness and sorrow. Poppy has a great life: a wonderful roommate Zoe (played by Alexis Zegerman, a young actress I hope we see more often), a great job teaching kids, and eventually a sweet guy. She's so dang upbeat I almost felt resentful of her and I thought I'd be in for one long, perky, brightly-colored slog. But the effect is just the opposite because beneath the froth and the lightheartedness something much more substantive lies at the heart of this movie. Something that addresses much of the human experience at once: sadness, longing, confusion, and hopefulness.

As we watch Poppy go about her life as a single gal in the city, we see her interact with various people that make up her world including a high-strung driving instructor named Scott whom she's hired to give her lessons. Scott is played by Eddie Marsan, another actor in this film who gives an amazing performance. At first I wanted to write Scott off as a grumpy guy who Poppy rubs the wrong way, but each new scene in the cramped little car gradually reveals that he is a complicated and disturbed paranoid. There are many things he says and does to Poppy along the way that would make any other person request a new teacher, but instead of feeling frightened or irritated by him, she gives him the benefit of the doubt and often challenges his views.

It's in these scenes that we see Poppy as more than just a regular happy woman and as someone who, even in the face of bizarre and awful situations, can't help but understand that all that awfulness comes from a place she can probably understand. In her eyes Scott isn't someone to toss away as a racist nut-job, but a person who is so clearly in pain.

The movie drives at this empathy, which extends to everyone from discontented married couples in the burbs to a mentally ill homeless man in the city. Rather than express disdain for the choices people make, Happy-Go-Lucky seeks to examine the things all of us have in common in a way that rings true. I couldn't help but see my own life reflected back at me as I watched Poppy with her friends and family and colleagues. To me that was so refreshing - a movie that depicted life as it is, instead of as a fantasy and that still gave me warm fuzzies. What an accomplishment! Director Mike Leigh has created something magical and irresistible in this little movie that is nothing short of brilliant. I recommend you rush to see it.

Photos courtesy of Miramax

Movie Preview: Happy-Go-Lucky

BuzzSugar — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 13:30:23 PDT

As far as movies go, the Fall is probably going to get a little depressing. Not like "crap these movies are depressingly bad" - depressing, but more like "these movies are bleak and make me die a little inside" - depressing. That's why I feel like it's practically my duty to bring you the trailer for what will undoubtedly be a little ray of sunshine come this October: Happy-Go-Lucky.

It's a little British film that was written and directed by Mike Leigh, and while I can't seem to locate a plot from watching the trailer, I know this much is true: it lifts my spirits. Even the IMDB description of the movie makes me happy: "Poppy is a thirty-year old Primary School teacher in contemporary North London. She has great friends, a job she loves and a full life." I'm already charmed by Sally Hawkins who plays Poppy and, I dunno, this trailer just gives me the warm fuzzies inside. Which I'm pretty sure is the goal.

To check it out for yourself,

Source

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!

Emily VanCamp, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Robin Thicke Talk Family, Fashion, Vacations at ABC's Bash

Allie Merriam — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:12:53 PDT

ABC hosted a bash for the casts of their TV shows, both old and new, last night at NYC's Dream Downtown Hotel to celebrate the Upfronts. Hayden Panettiere and Connie Britton cuddled up after a long day promoting their new series Nashville. Another new program, Duets, had the support of judges Robin Thicke, Kelly Clarkson, and John Legend. Many of ABCs returning hits were represented, too, like Suburgatory and Happy Endings. Revenge couple Emily VanCamp and Josh Bowman were adorable on the red carpet, while Don't Trust the B---- in Apt. 23's Krysten Ritter posed solo. Once Upon a Time's real-life couple Ginnifer Goodwin and Josh Dallas did press with costar Jennifer Morrison.

We caught up with Duets' Robin, who spoke about his wife Paula Patton and their young son Julian. The couple apparently has a performer on their hands. Robin said, "He's got the ABC song down now. I'm hoping he'll learn a different one." Paula won't be able to watch the program, however. Robin added, "I told her I never want her to watch it, because she already loves me and I don't want that to go backwards at all. I don't want to lose any points, so just love me the way I am right now and don't watch any of my stuff."

Summer travel is something many stars said they're looking forward to. Revenge's Emily is dating costar Josh Bowman and he might be lucky enough to accompany her on some excursions. She is taking the next few months off and clued us in on her plans. Emily said, "I'm going to see my family on Thursday and I'm so excited. I get a few days with them, so I just want to have some downtime and hang with them. And then traveling! I've been traveling loads. I was in Sydney. I'm going to go to Europe for a bit. I've been really enjoying traveling . . . I think it's good to have a chance of perspective and leave LA, the bubble that is LA, once in a while." Don't Trust the B's Krysten Ritter has similar plans to let loose during a break. She said she's most looking forward to attending "bikini boot camp in Mexico!"

Want to Go Blond Like Olivia Wilde? Read This First

Allure — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 05:30:08 PDT

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

Hey, Olivia Wilde, you look pretty great as a blonde! The actress, who dyed her hair for her upcoming flick, Rush, is inspiring some of us around the office to lighten up. You in? Before any of us reach for bleach, though, I thought I'd check in with Sharon Dorram of Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger in New York City, who made it clear that going from brunette to beachy blond requires more than just making an appointment.

Here's what you need to know:

LilSugar's Baby Registry Essentials

LilSugar — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:56:34 PDT

It's amazing just how much stuff a person as tiny as a newborn baby needs. But as anyone who's gone through it before can tell you, babies are high-maintenance little people! If you're lucky enough to have friends and family who want to gift the new addition, they'll likely be looking to rely on your registry.

Consider registering at a larger, all-inclusive baby store, like Giggle or Buy Buy Baby in addition to a smaller, local specialty shop to provide the greatest variety in terms of projects. Sites like MyRegistry.com and AmazingRegistry.com allow you to create a customized registry from a variety of different online sources, making them a great option when family and friends are spread out around the country. Make sure that you get the most out of your registry by following our guide to everything you need to bring home baby!

LilSugar's Registry Must Haves
Every mom (and every baby) is different, and while we recommend using our list as a starting point, it really helps to see products in person, and talk to other new parents to find out exactly what worked for them. While this list encompasses what we believe to be the essentials, don't be shy about adding on some "just for fun" selections as well. If there's a piggy bank or stuffed animal that you've been coveting, go ahead and put it on there - people love gifting pretty presents. Happy registering!

At Home and on the Go
The amount of living/storage space that you have available should be a factor when making your decisions about whether you need a bouncy seat, playmat, and swing. When it comes to selecting a stroller, think about how soon you may be considering baby #2 - if it's within a year or two, you'll want to check out double strollers or convertible options. And now's a good time to think ahead to a toddler car seat (if you have room to stash it).

Stroller (or two)
Stroller Blanket
Footmuff or Bunting
Infant Car Seat
Toddler Car Seat
Swing and/or Bouncy Sea
Portable Crib
Carrier or Sling
Tummy Time Mat or Blankets

Layette (and Beyond)
You'll quickly learn that people love buying itty bitty baby clothes . . . but the 0- to 3-month wardrobe doesn't last very long! Register for a variety of outfits for baby's first year, but not beyond that. Since you don't know how quickly he/she will grow, it's hard to forecast what your needs will be for more than a year out.

Receiving Blankets
Swaddling Blankets
Side-Snap Undershirts
Coming Home Outfit
Onesies
Rompers
Sweaters
Sun Hats and Beanies
Socks
Sleep Gowns

Keep reading for the rest of our registry essentials!

Mad Men's 5 Maddest Moments: Season Premiere "A Little Kiss"

Shannon Vestal — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 07:44:39 PDT

Mad Men is finally back this week, and we've jumped about a year forward with the two-hour season five opener. It's a new year, and there are new secretaries, new accounts, and new adjustments in the personal lives of the denizens of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. It's the brink of Summer and Don's 40th birthday, and where SCDP was scrambling after losing Lucky Strike at the end of last season, business seems pretty stable now, but as usual, there's still discord within the ranks of the company.

Between bean ballets, French dance numbers, and the party, there's a surprising amount of lightness this week (and an unusual amount of jokes for Mad Men). The episode serves mostly to catch us up with the characters after a year rather than lots of plot development, but there are plenty of mad moments to go over. To see them, keep reading.

"I Can't Get Over That My Boyfriend Has Been Married Before"

Tres Community — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 03:05:00 PDT

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

I can't seem to get over the fact that my boyfriend has been married before. It's probably 4 years ago since he's been divorced. We've been dating for almost a year and he thinks that I'm the one and talks to me about marriage and children. I think he MAY BE the one for me too. He's a very loving, generous, smart boyfriend and I don't think there will be anyone else out there for me. I feel very lucky to have him! He is 40 and I am 24. We love each other a lot and get along well but this is really bothering the hell out of me.

He doesn't bring her up but we do talk about our past relationships from time to time if it affects the present. I guess I can't get over the fact that he said she was the love of his life and that the happiest time was when he got married and the saddest was when he got divorced. I feel like I would always be second best. How could I live up to someone who made him feel that way? Even when we talk randomly about the wedding he didn't want to go through all the traditional stuff again like at Hispanic weddings and he doesn't think diamonds are necessary for a wedding ring. And he admitted that his first marriage changed his views on all of this.

I imagine myself walking down the aisle and have him looking at me and being so happy but I keep imagining that he's probably thinking "I've done this before." I just wish it was a brand new feeling for both of us.

Plus, he's traveled to many places around the world when he was with her. We talk about traveling all the time and every time I point out to a country or a state I'd like to visit because I haven't really gone anywhere, he's been there and probably with his ex-wife. I feel like there's nothing left for us to go besides Antarctica.

We've talked about this issue several times and he has assured me that I'm his priority and there's no one else but me in his heart and he has no feelings for her. I don't know what to do. I feel like I'll never get over this.

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.