BuzzSugar

What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 08:33:42 PDT

This week, there is a cornucopia of new DVDs hitting stores (and Netflix), many of which have enjoyed a lot of buzz. In addition to the titles I'm recommending below, you can also check out Freedom Writers, an inspirational teacher-in-the-'hood flick, or The History Boys for a British inspirational teacher-in-the-neighbourhood flick. Or Smokin' Aces if you're feeling lazy.

The Last King of Scotland
If you haven't caught Forest Whitaker in his Oscar-winning turn, hurry to your Netflix queue and add The Last King of Scotland, stat. Whitaker plays Idi Amin, president of Uganda in the early 1970s, who takes a shine to idealistic Scottish doctor Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy) and gives him a high position in the nation's health department. Also serving as one of Amin's close advisers, Garrigan observes Amin's gradual descent into madness and brutal dictatorship. The Scottish doctor soon has to figure out how to escape the leader's control. Whitaker won the Oscar for Best Actor for his careful humanization of an otherwise monstrous character.

Two more greats, so

Not Just the Best of the Larry Sanders Show
Before "The Sopranos" and "Entourage," there was "The Larry Sanders Show" - easily one of the best series that HBO has ever produced. Garry Shandling was pitch-perfect as an egotistic late-night host, but the supporting cast - including Janeane Garafalo as the talent booker, Jeffrey Tambor as the sidekick, Jeremy Piven as a writer, and Rip Torn as the unhinged producer - really made the show brilliant. Sadly, the entire series has yet to make it to DVD, but this collection includes standout episodes as well as great extras like a feature-length making of documentary and full interviews with Larry's guests. Really, this show should be required viewing for pop-culture junkies.

Notes on a Scandal
Nominated for several Oscars, including Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, Notes on a Scandal is an actor-driven movie and would simply not be as good if Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett were not involved. The suspenseful story focuses on the relationship between young idealistic teacher Sheba Hart (Blanchett) and her superior, Barbara Covett (Dench). Sheba confides in Barbara about her tryst with a 15-year-old student (Andrew Simpson), and as Barbara's affection for Sheba turns into obsession, she uses this confidential information to keep Sheba in her grasp. If you can get past the overbearing Philip Glass score, it's worth it to see these two phenomenal actresses share the screen.

Kathryn Ireland Talks Decorating, Flea Marketing, and Handling Clients

Julia Millay Walsh — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 05:00:03 PDT

This week, I had the opportunity to chat with interior designer Kathryn Ireland, a cast member of Bravo's hit new reality show Million Dollar Decorators, about her career, her clients, her shopping routine, her decorating advice, and her experience on the series. If you haven't read the first part of our interview, be sure to, and then read part two below!

CasaSugar: I know you spend your Summers in France. What do you see as the difference between the way the French and Americans decorate?

Kathryn Ireland: Gosh! Very differently. The French French or people that have houses in France? I mean there’s something completely alluring about the French way of life when you think of the French countryside - the bucolic landscape, sitting under trees drinking rosé. I just love farmhouses. I don’t like the grand; I’m never drawn to anything grand. I like sort of living in a cow barn. Finding places that are interesting for me - it’s very much about the exterior of the countryside. I’m a country person at heart.

I think what I’m drawn to about the French is that people inherit pieces, which is also European. I grew up with a mother that decorated our house. She knew what to do, and I think there’s something so inherent about creating your own home, which is what I’m trying to teach my clients. You know a lot of people have hectic lines and it’s a full-time job trying to get couches and sofa and tie it all together, and some people just don’t have that talent to know what goes with what.

CS: Do you have any tips for bargaining and dealing with dealers at markets?

KI: Oh I’m a great bargainer! I go to Morocco. Marrakech is one of my favorite places, and in fact I’ve just come back from there. I’m doing a container sale for One Kings Lane on August 6, and that was so much fun.

But yea, I know how to haggle, but I also know when I see a good thing and it’s a good price. You know when you do a house and you get a budget, I know what I’m working, and I say let’s not get picky. I may spend a bunch of money on a piece of artwork for the kitchen. It’s about where the things that do matter. For example, in my kitchen in Santa Monica, I have a Damien Hirst in my kitchen and it’s fantastic. It makes the room.

Continue reading for the rest of our interview!

Sexy Brad Pitt Gets Behind the Wheel For World War Z

Lauren Turner — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 03:05:00 PDT

Brad Pitt looked hot during a scene on the set of World War Z in Edinburgh yesterday. He drove a beat-up truck on his latest day of filming in Scotland after production moved to the country last week. Brad's been seen sipping wine in between takes and he also relaxed with a glass during a fishing outing with his kids. The youngest Jolie-Pitts continued the fun over the weekend when they played sword-fighting games outside of the Carnell Estate, though Maddox and Pax missed the excitement. The boys traveled to Croatia with Angelina Jolie, and the threesome caught a performance of Shakespeare's King Lear during their stay. Angelina also met with President President Ivo Josipovic, though she's apparently since returned to the UK.

James McAvoy Jumps Aboard Seth Rogen's Cancer Comedy

BuzzSugar — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:30:00 PDT

I know, I know - the words "cancer" and "comedy" don't exactly go together, but Seth Rogen and James McAvoy are ready to make us believe otherwise. The guys are set to star in a film adaptation of Will Reiser's novel, I'm With Cancer. Reiser also wrote the screenplay, which tells the story of his own experience battling and defeating cancer in his 20s. The movie will be directed by Nicole Holofcener, and Rogen will pull double duty as a producer.

McAvoy will star as Reiser's onscreen counterpart, and I have to say that I'm excited to see him return to comedy. He first caught my eye as the wacky brother in Wimbledon (yes, I love that movie and will not be ashamed), but since then it's been mostly heavy stuff like Atonement and The Last King of Scotland. As for Rogen, I just hope he's ready to start answering a lot of questions about why he chose this project right after Funny People - back-to-back comedies about terminal illness?