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What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 07:30:17 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 selections below, you can also catch Jean-Claude Van Damme in JCVD on DVD.

Nothing But the Truth
I didn't get to see this in the theaters, so I'm curious to check out this political thriller starring Kate Beckinsale, Matt Dillon, Angela Bassett, Vera Farmiga, David Schwimmer, and Alan Alda.

The movie's plot is described as "ripped from the headlines" and centers on a journalist (Beckinsale) who outs an acquaintance of hers as a CIA agent. Things get interesting when the government's prosecutor (Dillon) sends the journalist to jail for contempt. The movie was written and directed by Rod Lurie, the guy behind one of my favorite political movies, The Contender.

Special features include commentary from the director, deleted scenes, and a making-of featurette.

76%

Read about three more movies out this week when you

read more. Bride Wars Hey, speaking of wedding tips we can learn from movies: Don't . . . destroy a life long friendship over a conflict in wedding scheduling! Which is to say, Bride Wars is out on DVD. The movie stars Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson as best friends who spend their lives dreaming of weddings together, and part of that dream is getting married at the Plaza Hotel. After both women get engaged, though, things get nasty when the Plaza books both their weddings on the same day. Instead of graciously working it out as two intelligent, grown women might do, the brides-to-be turn against each other, with each trying to sabotage the other's wedding. Needless to say, their friendship suffers. Special features include three deleted scenes, including an alternate opening, and a featurette titled - wait for it - "The Perfect White Dress." 12%
What Doesn't Kill You Here's another movie I am excited to bring home to watch. Netflix has a good description of the plot: "Partners in crime Paulie (Ethan Hawke) and Brian (Mark Ruffalo) find themselves at odds after years of pulling dangerous jobs, surviving turf wars and evading a determined detective (Donnie Wahlberg) in this gritty crime drama set in South Boston. The childhood buddies have gone through the wringer together, but when Brian's relationship with his wife (Amanda Peet) begins to fall apart, their loyal friendship is tested." The New York Times called it a "a no-nonsense, few-frills crime drama about two losers hustling their way into an early grave" that "says a little something about what it means to look at the American dream from the bottom up." Sounds awesome. Special features include commentary with writer/director Brian Goodman and writer Donnie Wahlberg; deleted and alternate scenes; and "Makes You Stronger: The Making Of What Doesn't Kill You." 68%
The Uninvited Elizabeth Banks had a good year in '08 and has been popping up in movies left and right well into '09. The Uninvited was one of them, and it looks pretty darn scary. Netflix's description of this remake of a Korean film is super-creepy: "Committed to a mental hospital after her mother's tragic death, teenager Anna (Emily Browning) discovers upon her release that her father (David Strathairn) plans to marry his deceased wife's former nurse, Rachael (Elizabeth Banks), a woman who may not have the best intentions. Foreboding warnings from her mother's ghost only cement Anna's suspicions." Yikes! I'm such a wimp about scary movies that I will definitely be recruiting people to watch this with me. Special features include a behind-the-scenes featurette called "Unlocking the Uninvited," deleted scenes, and an alternate ending. 33%

Game Show Canceled After Woman Admits Murder Plot

BuzzSugar — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 16:44:44 PDT

Here's a new point for those who like to argue that TV has gone too far: A Colombian game show has been canceled after a woman confessed to hiring someone to murder her husband - and won $25,000 for it.

The woman was competing on a Colombian game show called "Nada Mas Que la Verdad," or "Nothing But the Truth," in which contestants are hooked up to lie detector machines and asked increasingly invasive questions for a chance to win up to $50,000 if they answer truthfully. She admitted she had hired a hit man to kill her husband, adding that the crime was never carried out because her husband was tipped off to the plot and fled.

The show had become a sensation in Colombia, so much so that spinoffs are planned for several countries, including the United States. Fox bought the rights to the show earlier this year and plans to make the stakes even higher, with $500,000 on the line for contestants who answer all 21 questions honestly.

American TV has done some pretty stupid things in its day - see: Darva Conger - but do you think the U.S. version of the show will go this far?

Source

Get Ready to Play Even More TV Game Shows

BuzzSugar — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 12:30:05 PDT

Whether it's because of the possible Hollywood writers' strike, the success of "Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?" or something else, this television season is beginning to look like the Year of the Primetime Game Show. At the head of the trend is now-legendary reality producer Mark Burnett, but he's not the only one with game shows on the brain. Here's a sampling of the other game shows coming soon to a tube near you:

"Jingles" - The latest Burnett show to be announced, this series will challenge teams of players to write jingles for products. (Advertisers must be thrilled!) CBS has ordered eight episodes of "Jingles," and viewers will vote each week for which team's jingle should be in a real ad and which should get its writers sent home.
"Nothing But the Truth" - This Fox series, based on a wildly popular Colombian game show, will hook up contestants to a lie detector and make them answer questions about their lives. People who answer all 21 questions honestly will win $500,000, but they may also have to admit ridiculously embarrassing things about themselves. Is it better to get caught lying about cheating on your husband - or be honest, take the money and run?
"Amnesia" - Another Burnett show, this one tests contestants' memories of their own lives. OK, technically it's called "Amne$ia." Producers will talk to friends and family members of the contestant to research questions, then challenge the reliability of their memories of key people, places and things.
"My Dad is Better Than Your Dad" - Burnett's third new series is exactly what it sounds like: dads competing in a series of challenges, driven by what Burnett calls "the universally relatable concept of bragging that your dad is the best." So far, it sounds vaguely like a higher-stakes version of "Double Dare."

So, here's my question: Are there enough game show fans out there to support all these series?

Source

Buzz News Roundup, 8/15

BuzzSugar — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 15:30:23 PDT

"Weeds" ratings hit a new, um, high on Monday, writes Variety.
The L.A. Times has confirmed that Edward Norton is indeed writing the screenplay for The Incredible Hulk.
Len Wiseman has signed on to direct the Escape From New York remake, Variety reports.
ABC is producing music videos for 11 of its shows, including "Ugly Betty" and "Brothers & Sisters," Billboard reports.
The AP is reporting that a stage musical version of Dirty Dancing will open in Chicago in September of 2008.
CBS has reached a multimillion-dollar settlement with Don Imus, who may return to radio before too long, Reuters reports.
According to Variety, 20th Century Fox is hoping to lure screenwriters by promising them that they will receive gross participation if their original scripts are made into movies.
Ellen DeGeneres is filming a two-hour variety show for TBS, writes the Hollywood Reporter.
Fox has bought a new game show called "Nothing But the Truth," in which participants will be hooked up to lie detectors and asked a series of personal questions for the chance to win $500,000.
Casting news: Chris Mulkey will play the new coach on "Friday Night Lights," Zap2it reports. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Benny Ciaramello will also join the show to play a love interest for Lyla, while TV Guide says Marin Hinkle will guest star on "Brothers & Sisters."

Photo courtesy of Showtime

10 Tips For Keeping the Truth About Santa a Secret!

LilSugar — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:59:01 PST

There's no Christmas like one when a child believes in Santa! Years ago, St. Nick showed up at our family gathering and pulled a red trike out for my cousin. The then-preschooler leaped from the floor with an expression so priceless I can still picture it. We all remember the moment we found out that truth about Santa Claus. (I was 7 when a classmate told me she found a red suit in her father's closet.) And then as parents, we have those close calls with our own offspring. If you want your tots to be believers, here are some helpful hints for keeping the jolly old fellow's spirit alive. . . at least for a little longer!

Don't play Santa at school or family events. Kids know their parent despite the padded suit, white wig, and stick-on beard.
Shop solo - children notice when you try to sneak items into the cart.
Figure out a really good hiding place to stash your loot. Lil snoops will find gifts in obvious places (and perhaps even open, peek, and rewrap them).
Have Santa gift your kid an item you would never purchase. It throws even the most curious child for a loop.
Wrap gifts from Santa in a special wrapping. If mom uses the same patterned paper for her presents or a roll is laying around the house, it can raise suspicion.
Disguise penmanship on gift tags. If you normally use cursive, print or write with your opposite hand.
Excited kids can be restless. Make sure they are really asleep (hand test, breath test, etc.) before you cart out the Christmas loot. And have a backup plan if your wee one wakes!
Consume the child's offerings for Santa. Nibble the cookie and sip the milk. Putting the full glass back in the fridge or returning baked treats to the cupboard can be a big mistake.
Even if the house is heavy with mistletoe, don't let your lil one catch mommy kissing Santa Claus!
There's nothing like a report of reindeer prints on the roof or a little soot left in the chimney to confirm that Santa was indeed on the premises.

And, if your child still figures it all out, ask them to be your elf and assist in keeping the magic alive for younger siblings.

Infertile and Proud: The Growing Women's Movement to Destigmatize Infertility

Yahoo Shine — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:15:41 PST

We're happy to present this article from one of our favorite sites, Yahoo! Shine:

There was a time, not so long ago, when infertility was something whispered under pitying, gossip-ful coffee breath. "That's Rose's daughter, she can't have a baby" or "They keep trying, but something's wrong." These days, many women are sick of the whispers. They're infertile and they're not ashamed.

The childbearing generation of the late 2000s are nothing like those that came before them. Many are opting out of parenting in favor of fertile careers, others are turning to the magical promise of medicine. We've seen it work for celebrities and innumerable reality stars. But we don't usually hear about the one in 20 couples who don't have the same success. Keep reading for the rest of this story.

5 Reasons Not to Bash Your Ex on Social Media

Lizzie Fuhr — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 02:00:59 PST

Last weekend, Kat Von D wrote a public note on her Facebook page provocatively titled: "Thank you, Jesse James." Certain aspects of her personal note conveyed a message of healthy healing. With that said, there were more than a few stinging comments that seemed a little out of place for someone coming from a place of "love and light."

After a breakup you might have a genuine desire to move on, but any sort of public bashing, whether it's honest or not, is an open ticket for outsiders to misconstrue your words. Openly criticizing an ex on any form of social media is a bad idea; here are five things to remember before you bash and click.

It's not going to make you feel any better. For a hot second you may feel like you've accomplished something, but at the end of the day, bashing your ex on social media is going to do nothing but stir up hurt feelings from the past. Whether you're a public figure like Kat or not, a public bash is an open invitation for your Facebook friends and Twitter followers to give their opinion on your heartache. At the end of the day, the only person who can really make you feel better is you.
It's always better to take the high road. I get it. Your heart is hurt and you want to bring that pain back to your ex. The truth is the bashing or cruel words are not going to do anything but hurt you more. Fixating on your lost love will only make you feel more hurt. No matter how dirty your ex did you, no matter how much you feel he messed up your world, it's always better to keep your nasty thoughts to yourself and take the high road.
If you genuinely need to make peace with yourself, Facebook is not a place to do it. Facebook and Twitter are wonderful ways to connect with people we care about and share information in a whole new arena. But there's nothing worse than opening your stream and seeing people whining or complaining. It's just not the right forum for this kind of conversation. If you're really upset and not sure where to turn, call a close friend or family member. This is always the better option.

Keep reading for two more reasons to rethink bashing your ex on social media.

The Office, "Pam's Replacement": Best Lines of the Night

Rose Curiel — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 23:00:10 PST

On this week's episode of The Office, a very pregnant Pam must train her replacement for her maternity leave, and she's feeling more insecure than usual when that replacement happens to be an attractive woman that all the men at Dunder Mifflin are buzzing about. All the men except Jim, that is. Pam's determined to get Jim to admit he finds temp Cathy (Lindsey Broad) hot, and goes as far as to team up with Dwight to get the truth out of him. Dwight's tactics prove unconventional, including lunging at Jim's crotch to gauge his level of sexual interest in Cathy and creating a make-shift lie detector test.

Meanwhile, Andy, Kevin, and Darryl take to the warehouse for an impromptu jam session that attracts the interest of Robert California. The CEO hits a sour note with the trio when he takes over their rehearsal space with his own band, a bold move from the intimidating California. It's about the only thing that felt totally original in the episode. We've seen Pam get jealous over Jim before, and is it me or did the cold open feel a bit familiar, too? Andy gets Erin to interrupt his meeting with a fake urgent call, so that he can refuse it and make the client feel important, which is a variation of Michael Scott's old trick of getting Pam to burst into his office with fake notes. Either way, the jokes still made me laugh, and - as always - each character has hilarious lines. Check out a few of my favorites when you keep reading!

6 Surprising Health Mistakes Even Smart Women Make

Prevention — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 04:05:18 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

When was the last time you got 8 hours of sleep or lifted weights at the gym? You're not alone if you can't remember: Even some of the most savvy women didn't get the memo about these health-wrecking habits. Find out if you're among them.
From the Editors of Prevention

You're supposed to watch saturated fat and eat lots of vegetables — that's why you usually pick up a salad for lunch and dinner (even when the kids get burgers). But you're not obsessed with the scale like some women you know. You brush your teeth twice a day, and you last flossed, oh, maybe two weeks ago. You exercise but avoid lifting so you don't bulk up. The tummy pains you got last week? Must have been gas — nothing serious. And hey, you'd like to get 8 hours of sleep, but the days are short, and it's hard to get everything done. Sound familiar? These so-called "good" habits may actually be derailing your health. Here, experts share the surprising things you're doing wrong — and how to recover.

1. You Always Order a Salad
Don't assume that bowl of lettuce is always the healthiest menu pick.

Truth is, a lot of take-out and restaurant salads are basically a burger in a bowl, says Brie Turner-McGrievy, RD, clinical research coordinator for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) in Washington, DC. That's because add-ons like fried chicken, croutons, and full-fat dressing pack major calories, fat, sodium, and other unhealthy nutrients. One example: McDonald's Bacon Ranch Salad with Crispy Chicken and Newman's Own Ranch Dressing has 540 calories and 35 grams of fat; a Big Mac has 540 calories and 29 grams.

The fix: Don't scratch take-out salad off your menu; just use a few common sense rules before you order. Avoid high-fat add-ons such as sour cream, extra cheese, croutons, bacon bits, and creamy dressings like Caesar and ranch. Opt for salads that aren't just a fiber-free mound of iceberg lettuce dotted with a few carrot and red cabbage shavings. And plan ahead: Most fast-food chains supply nutritional info online so you can scout out the best options before you leave.

Avoid These Surprisingly Unhealthy Salads

2. You Rock Out While You Work Out
Do your ears ring after a long iPod-powered workout?

Check the volume on your iPod or MP3 player, advises Andrew Cheng, MD, an otolaryngologist at New York Medical College. The normal range of an MP3 player is 60 to 120 decibels; persistent exposures above 85 may cause hearing loss. If you're concerned, ask a friend to stand next to you while you listen: If she can hear your music, it's too loud.

Learn the fix and four more other common mistakes, when you read more.

Group Therapy: Jealous Boyfriend Crossed the Line

Tres Community — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 03:05:03 PDT

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

So the story is: I used to always make guys fall me for - sick thing, I know but it is what it is. I was so good at it before. Then I got a boyfriend. I love him. A lot. But it's been so long since I've even talked to someone of the opposite sex besides him since we've been dating for awhile. Last night, some dude IMs me on Facebook and we start chatting. I DIDN'T flirt but I manipulated the conversation to make sure he was into me. It was harmless and he knew I had a boyfriend. Then I had a rush of happiness - rare - because I realize I still have it! I still have my mojo! Anyways . . .

My boyfriend always badgers me to tell him things cause I'm usually so cut off. So I told him in the middle of the night, in such a good mood, that "I still have it!" He started getting really antsy and kept asking me what does that mean and if it involved boys. I explained the situation and he exploded. Now . . . don't get me wrong, I love jealousy, but he crossed a line. He started attacking me personally, which is something he never does. I understand most of his points but still . . . It meant nothing and he knows that. I would never leave my boyfriend for some random dude. Especially since we've been together for so long. Anyways, I'm labeled the bad girlfriend yet again blah blah blah.

But I realized . . . He never, ever helps any situation. I'm usually sad. All of the time. I can't help it. And he always complains and whines to me that he wants me to talk to him so he can take the "hurt away." I tried. Multiple times. And every time he said the wrong things, ignored me, or just didn't make a difference. It's saddening. Cause I feel like I can never feel better and he can never help me. He's my boyfriend. He should know exactly what to do or say. And finally, one night where I was briefly happy, he ruined it. It sounds kind of crazy and foolish, but it's the truth. I don't know what to even do anymore. Advice?

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.