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Buzz Gift Guide: Hey, Daddio!

BuzzSugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 05:30:36 PST

Welcome to another one of my Buzz Gift Guides for all the entertainment lovers in your life. Yesterday I tackled gifts for moms and today I've got some ideas for the original special fellow in your life: Dad.

I know a lot of dads (not just my own) who were sad to see HBO's mobster hit The Sopranos end, so I was delighted to find a whole collection of wines inspired by the show. You can choose from an old school Chianti called "Uncle Junior's Wine" and a Pinot Grigio inspired by Carmella ("light but tasty enough for a strong woman"), among others. If your dad's a fan of the show he'll probably get a kick out of these.

If your dad's a music lover he might enjoy this CD and DVD box set of Frank Sinatra singin' his hits in Vegas, a collection of Louis Armstrong's Christmas tunes, or Martin Scorsese's rock doc chronicling two Rolling Stones concerts, Shine a Light.

Of course, many dads would be thrilled to get this humongous set of James Bond films on DVD. And finally, while it's not exactly my favorite series, my dad really does think Two and a Half Men is one of the funniest shows on TV, so I'll be picking up the fourth season on DVD for his collection this year.

Shine a Light ($18.99)	Sinatra: Vegas ($63.98)
The Sopranos Wine ($24.99)	James Bond Blu-ray Collection Six-Pack ($111.95)
Two and a Half Men - The Complete Fourth Season ($28.99)	The Christmas Collection: 20th Century Masters: Louis Armstrong & Friends: Music ($10.99)

Check out HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage and gift guides.

What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 06:30:26 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.

Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay
My pal Molly had the honor of heading out to the screening of Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay to let the rest of us know how it was. She basically came away feeling that it was a bit on the offensive side of the fence, even for a movie like this. But she also acknowledges that it could be the kind of movie that gets funnier with each viewing, and that Neil Patrick Harris is once again pitch-perfect in his ability to make anything hilarious.

So I'll be honest: I'm adding this to my queue for when I'm in the mood for some dumb laughs. Also, after enduring that-of-which-we-do-not-speak and an Eddie Murphy bomb in the past month, I kinda feel like I can't get too picky about my at-home comedy at this point.

Special features include commentary with the directors and stars as well as a featurette titled "The World of Harold and Kumar."

Two totally fascinating documentaries if you

Surfwise
When I first viewed the trailer for this documentary about nine surfer kids raised in a camper who travel from one beautiful surfing locale to another, I was totally intrigued. At first blush it sounds like an ideal childhood (to me at least): cool parents who thought outside the box, exposing their kids to the joys of surfing and travel. Of course, this isn't as straightforward as it sounds, and in the documentary the kids "speak out" about the unorthodox parenting practices of their father.

Special features include commentary with Doug Pray (director) and Matt Weaver (producer), and lots of outtakes.

Shine a Light
This movie surprised me in its ability to make me reconsider my contention that emptying my wallet to see a Rolling Stones concert in a giant stadium at this point is something I would pass on. Martin Scorsese's rock doc chronicles two Stones concerts from 2006 and totally succeeds at capturing what all the fuss is about. The movie is particularly absorbing when capturing the quiet moments you'd miss as an audience member.

If you're a Rolling Stones fan you'll want to own this immediately, and if you are currently ambivalent about what these aging rockers can bring to a live show, this movie might make you see the light.

Special features include four bonus performances by the Rolling Stones, not shown in theaters.

Box Office: 21 Wins Again as Leatherheads Fumbles

BuzzSugar — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 07:30:55 PDT

For the second weekend in a row, Jim Sturgess and gang were No. 1 at the box office - though the overall March slump continued. 21 was down a bit from the weekend before but held on to the top spot with a weekend take of $15 million.

As for the No. 2 spot, Variety is calling it a "virtual tie" between George Clooney's Leatherheads (with an estimated $13.5 million) and the Jodie Foster-Abigail Breslin family flick Nim's Island, which brought in $13.3 million.

Horton Hears a Who came in fourth place followed by the big horror film opening of the weekend, The Ruins, which took in $7.8 million. The Rolling Stones documentary by Martin Scorsese, Shine a Light, opened in limited release and brought in $1.5 million.

What did you see at the theaters this weekend? Did you give George and Renee a chance despite so-so reviews?

Photos courtesy of Sony Pictures

Shine a Light: Long Live the Rock Doc

BuzzSugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:30:51 PDT

When I realized that Martin Scorsese's new rock doc Shine a Light chronicles two Stones concerts from 2006, I was slightly disappointed. Don't get me wrong: I devour rock documentaries (Scorsese's The Last Waltz is one of my faves), and I love me some Rolling Stones. But I've never had much interest in seeing the band live in its modern incarnation (or in paying the high-ticket price for a stadium show). But Shine a Light makes me realize I was sorely mistaken. The modern-day Stones are well worth seeing live, and after screening this movie in its full IMAX glory, I feel like I have.

With camera work conducted by a team of Oscar winners, Shine a Light covers two nights of benefit shows at New York's Beacon Theatre. Like its concert-film forebears (Woodstock, Rattle and Hum), Scorsese's two-plus-hour odyssey is comprised mostly of performance footage. There are, however, archival clips sprinkled in, as artfully chosen as the intimate moments captured by Scorsese's crowd of cameras. For the details,

The concert, like the Stones' career, careens through different phases, from flashy hip-shaking numbers to pedal-steel-infused country tunes. The set list is mostly stellar, though oddly, there is no footage of the Stones performing the namesake tune. Seeing the legends up close, you realize how much the Stones truly love what they do, and the archival footage suggests a common theme: From the beginning, the most commonly asked question of the band was, how long do you think you'll do this? The impossibly spry Mick Jagger, who somehow still has the figure of a 25-year-old hipster, continues to prove his doubters foolhardy.

Unlike The Last Waltz, which is a movie about a concert and a band, Shine a Light is merely a film of a concert. Aside from some bland footage of Scorsese and the Stones setting up, there's very little behind-the-scenes access. And while The Last Waltz stood out for its cameos - a parade of legendary performers who influenced The Band - this documentary tepidly imitates that trope. Buddy Guy adds to the entertainment, but Christina Aguilera and Jack White don't even look like they think they deserve to be there.

But as a chronicle of a concert, the movie succeeds, particularly when capturing quiet moments you'd miss as an audience member: a flirtation between Jagger and his backup singer, a lingering, pensive shot of Guy resting between beats, and the Pirates of the Caribbean brooch on Keith Richards' lapel. Honestly, seeing this movie on an IMAX screen with a stellar sound system was so much like the real thing that I occasionally had to glance around to make sure it wasn't the movie audience roaring with applause. Shine a Light is the closest I'll ever come to seeing an intimate Stones concert, and thankfully, it's all I'll need.

Photos courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Shine a Light 'Cause Your Doggie Is a Rolling Stone

PetSugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 08:00:57 PDT

When I learned from my pal, BuzzSugar, about the new Martin Scorsese documentary Shine a Light (opening today), I knew I had to share fun Rolling Stones-themed pet gear right now! While we've definitely been getting North in on the rocker pet trend, why not let him share music (I think) he likes listening to. While some of the items are right up his alley – like hoodies for early morning breaks – I can't exactly see him in coveralls . . . or overalls. But the trademark tongue logo does resemble him after a hilly walk, so check out all the gear when you

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Jennifer and Marc Help Shine A Light In NYC

Molly — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 06:30:00 PDT

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony made their first red carpet appearance since the birth of the twins at last night's NYC premiere of Shine A Light. The Martin Scorsese directed documentary about two Rolling Stones concerts in 2006, mixed in with archive footage of the rockers. Of course, the band was out to celebrate the movie as well. J Lo and Marc aren't quite known for the same genre of music, but when there are two little newborns to be cared for back at home they're certainly rock stars in their own right for looking so fresh, fabulous.

To see more from the premiere including Gina Gershon, L'Wren Scott, Tommy Hilfiger, Vanessa Carlton and others just

View 35 Photos ›

Images include: Alexandra Richarda, Carla Gugino, Gina Gershon, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood, Jennifer Lopez, Kelly Lynch, L'Wren Scott, Marc Anthony, Martin Scorsese, Michelle Yeoh, Tommy Hilfiger, Vanessa Carlton, Victoria Pearman, Dee Ocleppo

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5 Steps to Your Best Blowout Ever

Allure — Thu, 24 May 2012 06:05:00 PDT

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

It's not every day you get a lesson in blowouts from Alli Webb, founder of the Drybar blowout bars. Rule number one: If you've gotten your blowouts down to 10 minutes, you're doing something wrong. (Sorry!) Webb gave me the rundown on the other most common styling mistakes - and how to get the ultimate results. Get her advice when you read more.

Glee-ful Highlights From Episodes "Props" and "Nationals"

Becky Kirsch — Wed, 16 May 2012 08:00:18 PDT

It's a Glee double whammy this week as the New Directions prep for, and then head to Nationals! As we've seen at the end of each season, emotions are running high, as the kids get ready to take on Vocal Adrenaline. The stakes are even higher this year since a lot of the seniors are graduating, and there's one gleek in particular who's feeling a little left out.

Season three has not been my favorite, but both of this week's episodes won me over in a big way. The first hour is both funny and poignant, while the second is very sweet and sentimental, as we get ready to say goodbye to some of the core cast members. The night definitely brings back memories from the first season when the show took the world by storm, and reminded me why I fell in love with it in the first place. Let's break down the highlights when you

I'm glad Tina finally gets a little time to shine, though it's a bit awkward that the opening voice-over is all about how the show has essentially ignored her for the first three seasons. Still, it's a nice break, and the sweet moments between Rachel and Tina feel authentic and are fun to watch, particularly when Tina offers to take Rachel on a road trip to see Carmen Thibedeau. And though it's not my favorite number of the night, I love that Rachel gives Tina her wish to duet on "What a Feeling."
Just because it needs to be mentioned: Kurt and Blaine's Halloween costumes as Snooki and the Situation. Amazing.
OK, the switcheroo moment was everything I hoped it would be and more. Though the sneak peek pictures gave away who would become who during Tina's dream, it's still amazing to see the kids all mixed up: particularly Artie as Santana. Genius. My head continued exploding throughout the entire sequence, especially seeing the reaction shots to Tina's rendition of "Because You Loved Me" (Mr. Schue's impression of Sue is spot-on). Speaking of which, Tina totally kills the song: are we getting a preview of what Glee might be like next season?
Coach Beiste has had to do some emotional heavy lifting lately, but this is one of the few times we see Puck truly vulnerable. His feelings of inadequacy about his future come to a head when one of the bullies at school challenges him to a fight in the schoolyard. After Beiste breaks it up, Puck breaks down in tears about feeling like garbage, and he and Beiste comfort each other in a truly touching moment. What's even better is that Beiste proceeds to dump Cooter, and she and Puck sing a sweet duet of Taylor Swift's "Mean." (Honestly I'm surprised it's taken Glee this long to get that song).
I love all the throwbacks to the first season in this episode; there's talk of Tina's first audition, some reminiscing about Puck's days tossing kids in dumpsters, and even an utterance of the Glee-patented insult "lima loser." Those were the days.
How is it possible that the New Directions are, yet again, about to perform at Nationals and they're still trying to slap together the routine just hours beforehand? It's no wonder they're all on edge, but at least they aren't trying to write their own songs this time around.
I can't even talk about how much I loved every one of the New Directions' performances at Nationals; this is by far and away my favorite performance episode. I had chills during "The Edge of Glory," which turned into goose bumps for "It's All Coming Back to Me Now." But the real kicker is "Paradise By the Dashboard Light" - the number is mesmerizing, and I felt proud of how far they've come. I can't remember the last time I was so caught up the performances of this show. They absolutely nailed it.
As for Vocal Adrenaline, well, they certainly bring the theatrics. I'm a fan of Unique's, but something about their numbers lacked energy. But maybe that's because the dudes were so tired from picking up the girls repeatedly and pushing those heavy-looking pinball machines around?
Giving Unique the suddenly existent MVP award is a nice consolation when the New Directions win the grand prize. I do kind of wish they'd give up the celebrity judges' shtick though. No offense to Lindsay Lohan, but getting a peek inside the self-involved judges' room used to be funny but now it just feels stale.
The scene where we get to watch the New Directions celebrating their victory feels like three years coming, and it actually could have been a very fitting end to the series as a whole. The kids are about to graduate and move away, and now they've finally got the biggest trophy in all the land. Hell, they even let Will and Emma finally do it (though did that really need to be shoehorned in with the confetti?). The icing on the cake, of course, is Mr. Schuester's Teacher of the Year award and the performance of "We Are the Champions." A perfect end to a great episode.

With only one more episode to go, it all culminates with next week's graduation episode. Were you touched by this episode like I was? What'd you think of the New Directions' showing at Nationals?

Photo courtesy of Fox

7 Smart Uses For Vaseline

Emily Co — Tue, 08 May 2012 03:05:19 PDT

Vaseline was originally meant to protect cuts and scrapes, but this jar of petroleum jelly has evolved into an item with dozens of uses. Here are just some of the many ways to use this versatile product:

Chapstick: Smear Vaseline on your lips to keep them from being chapped. Do it at night before you go to bed and you'll wake up with smooth, soft lips.
Moisturize skin: Vaseline can be used on skin that's prone to psoriasis and eczema. It'll heal by moisturizing the dry patches. The petroleum jelly can also be used on elbows, cuticles, hands, and feet.
Protect skin from hair dye: When you're dyeing your hair at home, put Vaseline around your hairline to prevent your forehead from being dyed and protect your skin from the chemicals.
Scrub: Add sea salt to Vaseline to make your own body scrub.
Soothe and heal: Vaseline can help to heal poison ivy lesions, new tattoos, and light burns. It's also a good moisturizer when it comes to skin irritants like diaper rash.
Prevent rust: Put a light layer on tools or machinery to prevent them from rusting.
Shine leather: Dab a little Vaseline on leather items like bags or shoes to polish them and add a bit of shine.

A Cancer Survivor's Goal: 50 Triathlons by Her 50th Birthday

espnW — Fri, 04 May 2012 04:26:06 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from espnW here on FitSugar!

By Julia Savacool

It's a good thing Jenn Sommermann discovered triathlons when she did. "I was turning 40 years old, and my friend and I were looking for a way to commemorate the occasion," Sommermann said. "We decided to train for a triathlon." Because Sommermann was on the East Coast and her friend was on the West, the two trained together virtually, exchanging workout notes and messages of encouragement. Several months later, they competed in the Danskin Women's Tri in Seattle.

"That was it, I was in love with triathlons," Sommermann said. Little did she know, two years later the fitness she gained through the sport would help her win a battle against ovarian cancer.

It was December 2006 when Sommermann received her diagnosis. She'd been feeling out of sorts for months, but had been reluctant to see her doctor.

The symptoms for ovarian cancer are subtle: Bloating, weight gain, fatigue and indigestion are all indicators for the disease, but they are also common symptoms for many women during their monthly cycle. The main difference with ovarian cancer, explained Sommermann, is the symptoms don't go away.

It was by chance she discovered the cancer - she was pressing on her stomach one night and came across a hard lump. "I called my husband over, and he felt it, too," she said. "I knew this wasn't good." She went to see her physician immediately, and an ultrasound revealed a tumor about the size of an eggplant. "I had Stage 3 ovarian cancer," said Sommermann. "I was in shock. The disease is 94 percent curable if you catch it by Stage 2. But after that, the numbers are not in your favor."

Surfing gets Anastasia Ashley through tough times

Read more about Jen's inspiring story after the break.