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Up and The Hangover Have a Photo Finish at the Box Office

BuzzSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:30:16 PDT

Adults flocked to see The Hangover over the weekend, helping the comedy earn an estimated $43.3 million. However, it wasn't quite enough to bump Pixar's family-friendly movie, Up, out of the top spot with its estimated $44.2 million. Despite coming in second place, The Hangover's debut far exceeded expectations and is "the third best opening ever for an R-rated comedy."

Meanwhile, Will Ferrell's Land of the Lost is being called the first "bomb" of the Summer. The adventure flick, which received pretty bad reviews, came in at No. 3 with only $19.5 million over the weekend.

Nia Vardalos's romantic comedy My Life in Ruins also debuted this weekend, coming in at No. 9.

Up image courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures and The Hangover photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

Preview For My Life in Ruins Is Long, Kinda Boring

BuzzSugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 07:00:26 PDT

First off, this strange little trailer thing with subtitles is freakishly long (over four minutes!) and feels longer. This does not bode well for the comedy from My Big Fat Greek Wedding's Nia Vardalos.

When last we heard about My Life in Ruins, it was because Vardalos became the first filmmaker to be allowed to shoot inside the Acropolis. I was totally excited for this movie at that time. Now? Not so much.

From the trailer I'm guessing that - not unlike My Big Fat Greek Wedding - our protagonist learns how to love herself, loosen up and be confident, and from there everything falls into place for her. But the getting-there part looks ridiculously boring. When the majority of laughs come from Rachel Dratch's supporting character, we're in trouble.

Frankly, I am so disappointed! I really wanted Vardalos to have a big hit with this movie but she just isn't very engaging in the preview. Maybe there will be a better, official trailer before (if?) My Life in Ruins opens in theaters (the date of which is unknown). To check it out for yourself,

read more. Update: The video was removed from YouTube, but it looks like you can still view the preview here. Source

Nia Vardalos: First Person to Film at Acropolis

BuzzSugar — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 08:30:00 PDT

Nia Vardalos, of My Big Fat Greek Wedding fame, is apparently a beloved treasure in Greece. So great is her pull that she was granted permission to film her next romantic comedy My Life in Ruins at the 2,500-year-old Acropolis at Athens, a first-time event for the ancient site.

While acquiring this permission entailed plenty of schmoozing on Vardalos' part, her popularity in Greece certainly didn't hurt. According to the Reuters article, "One of the most important factors was that Nia is beloved in Greece. She is a daughter of Greece and represents a positive representation of what being Greek is," said Michelle Chydzik, a producer on the film.

There are, of course, restrictions to the filming, including:

They get exactly one day to shoot at the ancient ruins.
No one can eat or drink at the site.
No hanging lights off columns.
No faking any of the sites, even with a fake background or column. "If you are standing at the Temple of the Oracle, you have to say it is the Temple of the Oracle. You can't cheat it even in the location. You can't walk 50 feet away and say that that's the temple," Chydzik said.
Because tourism is very important to the country, no site or road may be closed or restricted on account of the filming.

The government also requested some changes be made to the script, particularly for a part when two characters are drinking beer on the ruins' premises. This moment was rewritten because alcohol is not permitted.

She hasn't had a ton of success since My Big Fat Greek Wedding, but I think of Vardalos as the little indie filmmaker that could. Seriously, how cool is she?

Source and source

Winter-Proof Your Gadgets: 6 Tips You Need to Know

Kristy Korcz — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 06:21:48 PST

Winter is in full effect, and I don't know about you, but it's getting pretty cold in my neck of the woods. While I do travel with my gadgets quite a bit, I've learned that cold weather is not always tech-friendly. You may not realize it, but freezing temps can be just as dangerous - if not more so - to gadgets than the Summer heat since there are hidden dangers you can't see. Check out these six Winter weather tips that will help ensure your gadgets see the light of Spring this year.

Keep them out of the trunk - Keep your laptops, cell phones, and tablets out of the trunk for extended periods during cold days to prevent damage to screens and to keep your hard drive from freezing.
If you must trunk it, keep it bundled up - If you absolutely must leave your gear in your car in freezing temps, wrap it up in layers - like a jacket or sweater - to keep it warm. You can also find laptop warmers (which are specifically made for laptops) to keep them from getting icy if you live in cold conditions.
Turn them off - Letting your laptop or tablet remain in sleep mode may keep it warmer (since it is still working), but it also increases your chances of damage if you're on the move. Be sure to power down all the way to keep your data safe.
Warm up before booting up - If your machine is on the cold side, let it warm up to room temps slowly before turning it on. This will keep condensation and dew at bay, which can ruin your computer's sensitive guts.
Carry a charger - Cold weather sucks the life out of your batteries, so be sure to carry extra chargers in your car for emergencies.
Watch out for sensitive screens - Cold weather makes a smartphone screen extra sensitive, so be sure to keep it close to your bod if you're out in the snow, or consider a warm accessory - like a smartphone wallet, sock, or sleeve - to keep it cozy.

Group Therapy: Are Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties Really Harmless?

Tres Community — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:05:57 PST

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

I don't like the idea of bachelor/ette parties. I don't like the idea of my fiance getting drunk and getting lap dances and the possibility of it leading to sex. For a bachelorette party, I don't much fancy getting a male stripper, a guy dancing around just doesn't do it for me. I also don't like the thought process behind it, better have fun now because your life is over. I don't want to forbid my fiance to have a party but I don't want anything to happen. But I know his friends and I know they'll get strippers and do something stupid. I also know I can be a bit insecure. What do you think, are bachelor/ette parties harmless fun, or can they ruin a relationship? Also are you OK with your guy going to strip clubs?

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.

4 Reasons I Want Justin Long's New Girl Character Over For Thanksgiving Dinner

Rose Curiel — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:30:40 PST

Justin Long began his three-episode arc on New Girl this week as Paul, the music teacher and co-worker who joins Jess and her roommates for Thanksgiving dinner. Jess also has a huge crush on the guy, and I can't say I blame her; not only is Paul adorable, but he's also an awesome guest who would spice up any real-life Thanksgiving dinner with his quirky but charming ways. Check out the top four reasons I'd like Paul to make a guest appearance at my Thanksgiving dinner.

He provides musical entertainment. Paul not only performs in the Thanksgiving musical (playing the riveting role of a gourd) at the school where he and Jess work, but he also shows up at dinner armed with a violin. He's also willing to sing at the drop of a hat, joining Jess in one of her impromptu songs as soon as he walks through the door. If there's a better way to distract from the inevitable family tensions that arise at the dinner table, I'd like to hear it.
He knows how to hold his liquor. You won't have to worry about Paul overindulging in alcohol and making a drunken fool of himself - or your guests - at your Thanksgiving feast. He cuts himself off after two pumpkin ales, even though he's not even remotely tipsy. (Side note: How cute is it that his drink of choice is pumpkin ale?) Though he'll offer to run out to the store to pick up food for you, he makes the responsible choice of choosing not to get behind the wheel while doing it.
He values family. Jess invites Paul over for Thanksgiving dinner because the woman he usually spends the holiday with - his grandmother - has recently passed away. That doesn't stop Paul from talking about his Nana and how much she meant to him, reminiscing about how they used to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade together, and even pulling up a picture of her on his iPhone. But Paul's not self-centered; he'll take the time to ask you about your grandparents too, like he does with Winston.
He has a contingency plan when dinner is ruined. Jess and her friends have to ditch Thanksgiving dinner after they destroy their turkey by trying to defrost it in the dryer, and then they find an unappetizing surprise at their neighbor's place. But good ol' Paul pulls through by bringing them foot-long turkey subs. Could he be any sweeter?

What did you guys think of Paul? Would you set aside a place setting for him at your table?

Photo courtesy of Fox

5 Lame Excuses That Shouldn't Keep You From Exercising

Leta Shy — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 01:45:13 PDT

Have a regular fitness routine? Do you always stick to it? If the answer is no, you've probably made one of these excuses before. Before you convince yourself to ditch your gym bag for another day, here are five common excuses and the reasons why they shouldn't keep you from sweating it out.

I'm too tired: No matter how many times people tell you that exercise will help give you an energy boost, it won't matter if the thought of actually putting on your sports bra has you spent. But consistency is key to keeping energy levels up. The more regularly you exercise, the more energy you'll have, meaning you won't nod off on the couch while trying to catch your favorite primetime shows at night; so, use that as motivation to just do it.
I'm too busy: Who hasn't looked at their schedule and wondered how they are going to fit it all in? Juggling workouts with work, kids, and social engagements can be a feat in itself. But an effective workout can be had in just 20 minutes or less as long as you're prepared. Find a few quick workouts to have on hand the next time you have a busy day. Squeeze in a few of these quick five-minute exercises the next time you have a few minutes to spare, or make like perpetually busy working mom Bethenny Frankel and pop in an exercise DVD when you get home. "A long time ago I used to go to a gym or a yoga class, but that involves getting there [and] getting back. I don’t really have that extra time, so I really believe in at-home workouts," she recently told us.

Read on for more lame excuses that shouldn't keep you from working out!

Group Therapy: Is Having Sex With an Ex OK?

Tres Community — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 03:05:20 PDT

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

My ex-boyfriend and I recently broke up, but he still wants me in his life and he keeps telling me that he won't leave me. The reason that we broke up wasn't necessarily about the relationship, but it was him because he's been having some problems with his penis and he feels like he needs to bask in his despair by himself.

I do not know whether or not the reason for the breakup was actually because of this reason or not, but it doesn't bother me because we were only in a relationship for four months and he’s still in my life. You see, last night I suggested to my ex that we should still have casual sex and he was in to it.

This doesn’t make sense to me, since he broke up with me because his penis couldn’t stay up. Anyways, my friends believe that I'm using him and playing with his emotions because I'm sending him dirty texts, telling him that I miss him, and I’ve been known to be a siren at times. I guess my friends are afraid that I’ll hurt him because he’s still willing to stay in my life and he still has some emotions towards me. I suppose I am using him, but I have already made my intentions clear. I do care about him, but I want to have fun and it's so much easier to have sex with an ex when my life is so busy. And I do realize that the casual sex could potentially ruin our friendship, but it's only until he either feels comfortable enough to resume the relationship or I find someone better.

So, do you think that having sex with an ex is a good idea?

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.

7 Ways Job-Seekers Sabotage Themselves

SavvySugar — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 14:27:00 PDT

We're thrilled to present this smart Kiplinger story here on Savvy!

There are several ways job-seekers can trip themselves up during the job-search process.

From saying the wrong thing during a phone screening to forgetting a key piece of information about a potential employer during a face-to-face interview, a single misstep can ruin any chance an applicant might have at getting hired.

Here are seven major mistakes a job candidate might make that can prolong a job search.

Talking Too Much

At the onset of a job search, it's natural for an applicant to want to give 110 percent. Be mindful, however, that being too eager can hurt you just as much as not trying at all.

Pushy job-seekers sometimes have a tendency to overspeak during phone interviews in an effort to play up their strengths.

When the phone rings and a recruiter is on the other end, try to contain yourself. Don't start gushing about your professional experience right away. Take a deep breath, listen carefully to what is being asked of you, and only answer those questions. Remember not to give one-word responses, but don' t tell your life story, either. If a company is interested, you'll have plenty of time to discuss all sorts of fascinating topics and share more of your background in a face-to-face meeting.

Read on for more mistakes.

Mila Likes the Way Justin Sings "Happy Birthday" and He Talks More About MySpace

Katie Henry — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 01:59:49 PDT

Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake are entering the final stretch of their promotional tour for Friends With Benefits. The pair were joined by director Will Gluck, Jenna Elfman, and Emma Stone at Monday night's Friends With Benefits premiere in NYC, but last week they were in LA to chat about disrobing in front of the cameras and favorite films at the junket. Justin also briefly shared what he has planned for the future of MySpace. Here's more:

Mila, are you a fan of Justin's music?
MK: "[I like] the way he sings "Happy Birthday."
JT: "Pretty sure you're a big fan of my original compositions."

Mila, are your parents comfortable with the sex scenes?
MK: [laughing] "They're okay with it. They've seen it, I'm still here [alive.] No, my dad saw it. You know, he liked it. He thought it was very funny. He actually thought it was sincerely very funny and that he liked the movie. Yeah no, he liked it."

Mila, do you have any interest in joining Twitter?:
MK: "I do not tweet, nor do I Facebook."
JT: "Just say no. You don't have to explain."

Justin, do you gravitate towards self deprecating humor?:
JT: "[serious]Yes, I think my life is hilarious. I should not be here, and I am. I think my life is funny."

Have either of you ever borrowed a romantic gesture from a film?:
JT: "I thought once about playing Peter Gabriel from a boom box."
MK: "That would be awesome."
JT: "Yeah?"
MK: "Yeah, you should do it."

Did you workout more knowing you'd be naked?:
MK: "I did not."
JT: "She weighed 87 lbs. from Black Swan so she was just eating cheeseburgers."
MK: "Yeah, now I'm at the gym all the time don't get me wrong."
JT: "I train mostly all the time, I think what I do is stop drinking beer and [start] eating more vegetables and less pasta."

To see more of what Justin and Mila had to say just

read more. Justin, what were the sex scenes like? JT: "There's not a lot of female nudity in this movie so my physical job in those scenes was to [cover Mila] make sure. . . whatever. I found out really quick what was in Mila's contract because I was covering it up. But I think we wanted those to be funny and we shared the camaraderie in that so it kind of took the weird air out of all that and we just sort of went for it." Justin, what was it like working with Woody Harrelson? JT: "Woody is amazing, Woody's just a fantastic actor and a great comedian, but I'm actually glad you brought that up because that's a really important part of the movie for me. Will and I had a lot of discussion about it. Woody's character in a lot of ways is an original on film to be able to portray a gay male in the way that he is. Coming from my experience, I have a lot of guy friends, straight and gay, and we're all just friends regardless of sexual preference. So I wanted that to be in the movie, and so we took some chances with it." What romantic comedies did you watch to prepare for the role? MK: Pretty Woman, When Harry Met Sally. JT: Yeah, when When Harry Met Sally is probably a good one. You know Will kept referencing Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn. . . I think it was only in reference in how he wanted the banter to feel. That these two were equal counterparts and that they couldn't see it and that's what makes you fall in love with their story as the movie progresses so you'll be like, 'You guys are perfect for each other, these two characters are perfect for each other' and they're fighting it and they're doing it through humor. . . We just wanted to make a comedy about our generation, we wanted to just say what was funny about our generation and I feel like we were able to do that." What was important to interject into your characters?: MK: "I think just being honest to the generation itself and not losing sight of that and not trying to please people or appease people, but just being truthful to what both Justin and myself and Will believed." JT: "My favorite movie of all time, there's a quote from it, 'Yup, life moves pretty fast if you don't stop and take a look around once in a while you could miss it.' and I think that's part of our generation . . . I think that's why I feel like this is more a generational comedy. We weren't trying to make a romantic comedy. If anything, romantic comedies are by virtue not rated R so we wanted to make a real, situational comedy that two people happen to fall in love and then see if they can work it out." Justin, can you tell us more about MySpace?: JT:"I can't tell you because that would ruin when I get to tell you about it. But suffice it to say it's going to be what it should have been."