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What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:30:00 -0800

Tuesday means it's time to rev up your entertainment engine with new releases in music and new DVDs to add to your Netflix queue. I've checked out today's movie offerings and have some recommendations for the movies that are worth your rental time below.

This Summer's hit from Pixar is as tear-jerking as it is funny and light, and equally entertaining for kids and adults. Up is a story about an old man, voiced by Ed Asner, who attaches his home to balloons to escape his rapidly changing neighborhood.

I loved the emotional and original story, and wouldn't be surprised to see it nab a Best Picture nomination. The DVD has a ton of fun extras like cartoon shorts Partly Cloudy and Dug's Special Mission, and the expected making-of featurettes.

98%

See two more new releases when you read more.

The Ugly Truth

Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler play opposite each other in this romantic comedy that hinges on the notion that women want love, while men only want sex. I couldn't find much romance, though; in its place are cliches and some truly cringe-worthy moments.

But if you're one of the many who loves Gerard Butler, you may enjoy his boorish behavior. DVD extras include deleted scenes, two alternate endings, director commentary, and a gag reel.

15%

Spread

Ashton Kutcher is just a gigolo in the indie Spread. OK, maybe he's not exactly a gigolo, but it's pretty close - his character Nikki hangs around wealthy women like Anne Heche, exchanging good lovin' for a place to stay. When he unintentionally falls for a mysterious girl, his sugar mama ways are challenged.

Kutcher's role is more dramatic than what he usually takes on, and the love scenes are supposedly pretty steamy. Included in the DVD's extras are a feature called "The World According to Nikki," commentary with Kutcher (who also produced the movie), and deleted scenes.

13%

Movie Preview: Ashton Kutcher in Spread

BuzzSugar — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:45:58 -0700

Ashton Kutcher's new movie, Spread, got a lot of attention at Sundance because, well, Ashton Kutcher's in it. It's an interesting move for the actor, who usually hangs out in big-budget comedies, to take a stab at a smaller, dramatic role in an indie film. I'm curious to see how it works.

The good news is that if ever there were a dramatic role meant for Kutcher, this just might be it. His character is a young stud who lands in LA and quickly understands that his good looks and suave way with the ladies will get him far. Gigolo is probably too strong a word . . . but it's not far off. Of course, just as he's bedded a hot 40-something lawyer (Anne Heche) who gives him everything he wants, he meets and falls for a poor waitress. From the looks of the trailer, I'm guessing he has to choose between sex for money and sex for love.

The cinematography looks gorgeous, and some moments kind of make me think of Kutcher's Nikon camera commercials. The best part about the trailer? Gossip Girl's Sebastian Stan!

Spread will hit theaters Aug. 14. To watch the trailer, read more.

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Buzz News Roundup, 1/26

BuzzSugar — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:34:48 -0800

NBC's Amy Poehler comedy has a likely title: Public Service. - New York Times
Anchor Bay has bought the rights to the comedy starring Ashton Kutcher, Spread, which just premiered at Sundance. - Variety
The next Real World season will be set in Cancun. - The Hollywood Reporter
It looks like the next Batman movie, a sequel to The Dark Knight, will hit theaters in 2011. - ComingSoon
Radiohead, Kanye West, and Paul McCartney have joined the lineup of performers for this year's Grammy Awards. - Billboard
A 3-D porn movie is in the works in Hong Kong. - Variety
Fox has ordered a pilot for the US remake of Absolutely Fabulous. - Zap2it

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2009 Sundance Spotlight: The Missing Person, Paper Heart, Spread

BuzzSugar — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 07:30:51 -0800

While I won't be heading down to the 2009 Sundance Film Festival this year, I will be sorting through the humongous pile of festival entries to share with you some of the films I think look most promising. From quirky documentaries to talented young filmmaker debuts to a potential runaway hit, Sundance is filled with entertainment possibilities. Here are today's selections:

The Missing Person
Michael Shannon is getting all kinds of attention for the creepy role he plays in Revolutionary Road, which is one of the reasons this movie is already earning some early buzz out of the festival. Also starring Amy Ryan, The Missing Person looks like a slow-boiling noir that follows "a private detective prone to sardonic wit, gin, and the endless repercussions of what happens when you mix the two." Intrigued?

You can check out the trailer for this one and see some more of my picks (which include Ashton Kutcher and cutie Michael Cera) if you read more.

Paper Heart
What would a film festival be without an adorable Michael Cera film? This time around he's paired with Charlyne Yi (who was one of my favorite things about Knocked Up), his friend (maybe girlfriend?) who came up with the idea for this movie. The movie is semi-autobiographical and follows Yi on her quest to find the kind of love that isn't "fairy-tale love or the Hollywood mythology."

While there isn't a preview clip available just yet, check out this YouTube video of Yi auditioning for Saturday Night Live to get a sense of her comedy style:

Spread
And what would a film festival be without Ashton Kutcher? Well, normal. That is to say, he's not exactly who I think of when I think Sundance. But he'll be there this year starring in Spread, which is described thusly: "Set in modern-day Los Angeles, Spread is a hard-biting story about a high-end lethario, Nikki (Ashton Kutcher), who has slept his way into a life of privilege. He shares his secrets with us as he hosts parties and beds scores of women, all while living it up at the Hollywood Hills home of a middle-aged female attorney, Samantha (Anne Heche)." I can definitely buy Kutcher as someone women would rather sex up than talk to. This thing can either go really well for him or really badly. Check out a clip from the movie below:

Source and photos and Spread clip courtesy of Sundance

Buzz News Roundup, 3/3

BuzzSugar — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:33:10 -0800

Access Hollywood reports from the Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice singing benefit in LA. You can watch some shaky video footage over here.
Speaking of Grey's, Eric Dane will join Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston in Marley and Me, writes ComingSoon.
ComingSoon reports that Tim Allen will make his directorial debut with the indie comedy Crazy on the Outside.
Anne Heche will replace Jennifer Jason Leigh in the "indie sex comedy" Spread, also starring Ashton Kutcher, writes Hollywood Reporter.
According to Variety, Al-Qaeda is calling for the execution of a Dutch filmmaker and a politician on account of their anti-Koran short film, Fitna.
Radiohead, Tom Petty, and Jack Johnson will headline the inaugural Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival in San Francisco in August, Billboard reports.
L.A. will host the first Brazilian Film Festival March 7-9 at the Landmark Theater, Variety reports.
CBS is no longer the No. 1 TV network, losing the most-viewed title to Fox, the LA Times reports.

Buzz News Roundup, 2/13

BuzzSugar — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:32:50 -0800

Tina Fey will host the first post-strike episode of Saturday Night Live

The New York Times

John Legend and Isaac Hayes have joined the cast of the comedy Soul Men, which includes Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac, writes Billboard.
ComingSoon has news that Wes Craven's first horror project since 1994 will be 25/8, based on the 1972 George Romero film.
Benjamin Bratt will star in a new series for A&E about an interventionist, while Timothy Hutton will portray a modern-day Robin Hood in the TNT series Leverage; details on both are at The Futon Critic.
Ashton Kutcher and Jennifer Jason Leigh will star together in the indie sex comedy titled Spread, reports Variety.
Aretha Franklin is not pleased with Beyonce after Beyonce's Grammy intro referred to Tina Turner, not Franklin, as "the queen," the Associated Press reports.
Zap2It writes that Joel Surnow, co-creator of 24, is leaving the show to pursue other projects.
According to Billboard, this summer's tour will be the last for The Police.
Fox is remaking a Japanese TV show in which people must fit into shapes like human Tetris pieces, according to Variety.

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Which Actress Should Play The Black Cat in Spider-Man 4?

BuzzSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:30:05 -0800

The rumor mill keeps churning about Spider-Man 4. Let's recap: First, word spread that Rachel McAdams would be playing new villain Felicia Hardy, aka The Black Cat in the fourquel - hearsay which McAdams later denied. Earlier this week Julia Stiles's name started floating around instead. And now Anne Hathaway is the latest to be added to the running.

Hathaway and Spidey seem like a solid pairing - she'll up the A-list wattage of the film, and I think a superhero blockbuster would be a nice addition to her resume. But what about Stiles? She's been in the Jason Bourne series, so she does have the experience of working on a mega franchise. Still, I just can't imagine her busting chops and throwing around kicks like Hathaway.

Neither actress is even confirmed yet, which means other ladies could still step into the roles! Let's discuss who you would like to see take on The Black Cat part -Stiles, Hathaway, or do you have another actress that you would cast?

House Rundown, "Instant Karma"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:30:00 -0700

This week's House continued to stick to the tried-and-true show recipe, and our favorite doctor was there pulling the strings - even if he isn't technically in charge. The episode answered one or two of my previous questions, and while the writers quickly tied up the dilemma involving last week's death of the dictator (breathe a collected sigh of relief), I highly doubt that Chase and Foreman's shared secret is just going to be swept under the rug for good.

I'm curious to see how everything plays out, but for now, take a look at my questions (some spoilers!) from this week's episode and share your thoughts when you read more.

Foreman brings up a good point, when will House get back his license? I'm interested to see how long they drag it out for, although I do kind of like to see him play the annoying backseat driver to poor Foreman.
Why isn't Chase a little more nervous about the M&M presentation at the beginning? He seems a bit too cocky about getting away scot-free.
Thirteen! Man, I love seeing her and House spar. Wilson is right - she's the only one who doesn't get sucked into the "House vortex." I know she's boarding a plane at the end, but I think she'll be back, don't you? Once Jennifer Morrison leaves, it would be strange to have just Chase and Foreman debate the odd medical scenarios.
Speaking of Cameron's departure, it definitely seems like the writers are going to use Chase's secret to cause a rift in their relationship. First, they keep showing her alone in bed night after night, but then she asks him what was going on, and he continues to dig himself even deeper into the lie. When she does learn the truth - I'm thinking soon - there's going to be a huge blow-up.
Why is it that House's pervy comments always make me laugh?! I love this one that he said to Thirteen: "I wasn't talking to you; I was spying on the MILF in the running shorts." Ha!
I think this episode really shows a softer side to House. It started when he tells Foreman, "You're going to be a good boss, Boss." Awww, is that an actual tender moment from the crotchety doctor?! And then he goes on to save Chase and Foreman from their M&M review, and he tries to bring back Thirteen? House may say his heart is "three sizes to small," but he is spreading good will all over the hospital - well, good will for House at least.
Anyone else find the "Midas" dad kind of annoying? I don't dig his cocky attitude, and I was actually more interested in how things were playing out between the doctors than the actual medical case in this episode.
Here's a real philosophical question for you: Do you think that in some karmic way, that the father getting rid of his fortune really does help his son? House seems to be deep in thought over it at the end of the episode - or maybe he's questioning taking over the team again?
I love the moment where Chase tells House that he will always be in the guy in charge, but perhaps House is doubting his leadership. He does tell Cuddy that the combination of puzzles and power proved to be a bad mix for him. Still, I'm ready to see him running the place again, even if he pretty much already does.

What'd you think of the episode? Do you think House may be turning into a softie? Will he take over the reins from Foreman? And how will Thirteen finally make her return (if she does)? I want to hear all your hypotheses!

If this didn't satisfy your House hunger, head over to the House Group in the BuzzSugar Community to keep the conversation going!

Photo courtesy of Fox

Desperate Housewives Rundown, "Never Judge a Lady by Her Lover"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:30:08 -0700

Is it just me, or do the housewives seem even more desperate than usual this week? Susan takes some drastic measures to scare Danny away, which in turns sets Angie off with a few crazy antics of her own. Meanwhile, Bree's jealousy sends an innocent woman to the hospital and Lynette makes Tom look like a fool to cover up her pregnancy at a company dinner.

Jesse Metcalfe also makes his (triumphant?) return and Katherine is pretty much nowhere to be found. Ready to hash it all out? Just read more.

Gaby - Just when you thought it was safe to go back to Wisteria Lane, Jesse Metcalfe is back. Again. Both Gaby and Carlos are taken by surprise to see John at one of their restaurants of choice, especially when they learn that he's the owner. Naturally John is immediately making eyes at both Gaby and Ana, and I think we all know where this one is heading. Gaby later convinces Carlos that she doesn't have feelings for her former gardener anymore, but then she gets all nostalgic looking at photos of him. (I love that they had time to head to a photo booth during their affair - isn't the mall a little high profile for that?) One thing that really bothers me about Gaby this week is that suddenly she's all frumpy again, when she's been pretty much flawless since she and Carlos were back to being rich.

Susan - We don't get any updates on Julie's progress this week, but it's clear that her condition is taking a serious toll on Susan. Susan wastes no time spreading the word about Danny to all her neighbors, even when Mike gently reminds her that Danny hasn't been convicted yet. This leads Susan to start her own investigation for proof - which seems like a perfect opportunity for one of Susan's klutzy, over-the-top schemes, but instead takes a very dark turn when she basically tries to kill Danny herself by squishing him under a car. I give Susan a free pass for her antics this week since in the end she reaches out to Angie and starts to make amends when Danny's alibi comes through.

Angie - Angie's mama bear side really comes to the light this week. She's pretty scary trying to scare off prank calls, and even more threatening when she comes at Susan wielding a baseball bat. There are a few allusions to the Bolens' previous life (like that they change their name constantly and had to raise Danny "on the run"), but in the end Angie seems more like a protective mom with a secret than an evil person. Her husband on the other hand. . .

Bree - Despite her requests for pain au chocolat in lieu of a burrito, Bree begins to realize just how much she actually likes slummin' it with Carl. When she tells him that she's not looking for anything serious, Carl totally plays her by bringing a date to a function Bree is attending with Orson. In a matter of minutes Bree's all green-eyed about the idea of Carl taking someone else to their beloved motor lodge, and eliminates the other woman - literally. Meanwhile, Orson thinks he's making major strides and that Bree was jealous of the other woman for dancing with Orson. Though Katherine isn't around this week, I still think the whole thing will be smoothed over once she and Orson get together.

Lynette - The Scavos get to be the comic relief this week, which is refreshing after all the doom and gloom that was previously surrounding Lynette's pregnancy. The reactions she gets from her kids are priceless, particularly Porter's little speech about how she and Tom were irresponsible about birth control and are "destroying their futures." (I kinda agree about the birth control thing - may I suggest something permanent, like a vasectomy?). Right on cue, Lynette's career path is tested when Carlos admits he wants to give her a promotion after passing on another co-worker who is pregnant. Tom helps cover for her, but we all know she won't be able to hide twins for very long.

So what did you think of the episode? Are you happy to see Jesse Metcalfe again? How long until Gaby and Ana are vying for his attention?

Want more of the latest on Desperate Housewives? Check out the Entertainment Group in the Buzz community!