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What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:00:00 PST

We're in the midst of perfect movie watching season, and if all you want to do is make a you-sized dent in your couch with a new movie, you're in luck. Today is Tuesday, which means new DVDs and music, and there are some particularly entertaining releases this week. And in addition to my picks below, there are also Jeremy Piven's The Goods: Live Hard Sell Hard and animated guinea pig flick G-Force available today as well.

The Hangover

This Summer's smash hit The Hangover won over audiences and critics for its raucous bachelor party story. The buddy pic lets Zach Galifianakis shine as the hilariously inept counterpart to the more straight-laced Ed Helms and Bradley Cooper, as they try to find their buddy (Justin Bartha) after a crazy night in Vegas. I loved the unapologetic male-centric movie, and so did you, it seems - it's running away with my best comedic movie of 2009 poll.

If you've already seen the movie in theaters, the DVD extras may make you want to see it again: there's a montage of Ken Jeong's improv from the movie, some deleted extra scenes, and more photos from the notorious missing camera.

78%

See two more releases when you

read more. Inglourious Basterds On the more intense side of the spectrum, we've got Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds. Brad Pitt does his best southern accent as the leader of rebels on a mission to scalp Nazis. Christopher Waltz gives an outstandingly chilling performance as one of their targets, and Diane Kruger makes for solid eye candy in the midst of all the scalpings and gore. It's certainly not for the faint of heart, but worth it for the engaging story lines, and believe it or not - it even has a few laughs. Plus, the film is already getting awards buzz so you might want to start your research early. DVD extras include the movie's film-within-a-film Nation's Pride, extended and deleted scenes, and the movie's trailers. 88%
Taking Woodstock Ang Lee's Taking Woodstock features comedian Demetri Martin getting serious and introspective as a guy who urges his parents to put on the famous Woodstock music festival. I really enjoyed this nostalgic love letter to the hippie, rock-filled '60s, even if it was pretty rife with cliche. The cameos by Emile Hirsch and Liev Schreiber are pretty fun, but Martin is the one who gives a sweet, understated performance as a young gay man finding himself and a reinvigorated relationship with his parents. Extras on the DVD include commentary with the director, deleted scenes, and a Peace, Love and Cinema featurette. 49%

Taking Woodstock: A Pleasant Piece of Nostalgia

BuzzSugar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:30:50 PDT

Like many people who weren't even alive in 1969, I have an irresistible, faux nostalgia for movies that capture the vibe of that time. So while Ang Lee's Taking Woodstock abounds with '60s cliches, I couldn't help but enjoy it.

As telegraphed in the title, Taking Woodstock offers an alternate perspective on the legendary New York music festival. The story swirls around Elliot Teichberg (Demetri Martin) as he takes stock of his life, struggling to help his parents save their rundown Catskills motel while longing for the freedom he feels as a young gay man living in NYC. So he takes Woodstock out of its limbo after the event has been rejected by two other upstate towns. Though the movie is based on a true story, it's almost cartoonish at times, so hear more of what I thought.

Do, Dump, or Marry? Emile Hirsch

TresSugar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:00:00 PDT

With his dreamy eyes and kind-looking but intense face, Emile Hirsch has something of a poetic air about him.

His movie choices have been eccentric and moving - from a young gay man coming of age in San Francisco in Milk to the inscrutable character in Into the Wild who sets off to live in the wilds of Alaska. Now, he's in Taking Woodstock, and I can't wait to see it!

Poetic, sensitive and handsome - but does this translate into sexy? Which will it be?

Watch, Pass, TiVo, or Rent: Taking Woodstock

BuzzSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 08:30:52 PDT

I wasn't sure what to make of the trailer for Ang Lee's Taking Woodstock; it seems like such funny material for the Academy Award-winning director of Brokeback Mountain and The Ice Storm.

Then again, maybe there is more of a dramatic arc here with comedian Demetri Martin's role as a shy, closeted teen. Is it the story of his coming out, his family's role in putting on the legendary festival, or is it just an excuse to put Liev Schreiber in a dress? I'm interested in seeing if Martin can carry a heavier role like this, and sure, I wouldn't mind seeing what Emile Hirsch pulls as a crazy hippie, but I don't know if I'm rushing out to see it on opening night.

Will you be heading to the theater for this, waiting til it comes out on video, or skipping it altogether?

Poster courtesy of Focus Features

Do, Dump, or Marry? Demetri Martin

TresSugar — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 10:00:00 PDT

Demetri Martin is one of my favorite funny guys. His surreal sense of humor (plus his "I am one of the missing Beatles" look) is totally endearing. He's even described as a geeky dreamboat by people who keep tabs on that sort of thing. (The guy attended Yale and NYU School of Law on a full scholarship!)

Now, add actor to his list of accomplishments. He's starring in Ang Lee's film Taking Woodstock, which opens today. I can't wait to see it! But what about his other charms?

Money Woes Mean No Woodstock Anniversary Concert

TresSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:30:49 PDT

If you want to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Woodstock this Summer, you'll have to head to a movie theater. Thanks to a lack of money and sponsors, a previously planned commemorative concert won't be happening.

The original promoters of Woodstock had planned to hold a free concert in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, an event that was sure to replace hippies with hipsters.

At least Hollywood's here to re-create the epic concert. Ang Lee's Taking Woodstock opens on Aug. 28 and the cast includes some geeky dreamboats, like Emile Hirsch and Demetri Martin. All is not lost.

Source: Flickr User dbking

Movie Preview: Ang Lee's Taking Woodstock

BuzzSugar — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:30:59 PDT

You might see the word "Woodstock" and feel like we've seen enough about the famous music festival, but this trailer for Ang Lee's first English-language film since Brokeback Mountain actually looks like it might have something new to add to the story. Taking Woodstock is kind of hilariously hard to figure out: In the lead role there's comedian Demetri Martin (who you may know from his TV show Important Things With Demetri Martin) - and then people like Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Emile Hirsch, Liev Schreiber, and Eugene Levy pop up throughout the trailer and it's like, whaaa?

The movie is based on a memoir about a motel owner and his parents who are instrumental in helping the hippies pull off the seminal 1969 rock concert. This description from the book makes the movie all the more fascinating: "Hounded by the guilt that he can't live up to his parents' standards and riven by his own covert homosexuality, Tiber pokes fun at what he calls the Teichberg Curse, a scourge that won't allow the family to escape financial ruin." I wonder if that stuff is explored in the movie? We'll have to wait until Aug. 14 to find out.

I'm still wrapping my head around this trailer, but I'm optimistic. To see for yourself,

Buzz News Roundup, 5/2

BuzzSugar — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:30:02 PDT

Catherine O'Hara and Andie MacDowell have signed on for ABC pilots, Zap2it reports: O'Hara will play the mom in Good Behavior from Rob Thomas, while MacDowell's plot is described as a Hamlet-like drama set in the auto industry.
Maggie Gyllenhaal will replace Toni Collette in the Sam Mendes relationship comedy that also stars John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph, Variety writes.
According to ComingSoon, comedian Demetri Martin will be joining Ang Lee's next project, Taking Woodstock.
Billboard writes that The Cure has announced the date of their next album release: September 13, with a new single coming out every month until then, starting on May 13.
Variety reports that iTunes will now offer movies to be purchased and downloaded on the day of DVD release.
If you liked the Christian Siriano-designed blouse that Amanda wore on Ugly Betty last night, you can bid on it now; details on how are at The Futon Critic.
E! reports that Leighton Meester will be reprising her role on Entourage as a Britney-esque pop star.
Pitchfork has new details on the new album from The Hold Steady, which will be released in July.

Source

Buzz News Roundup, 4/23

BuzzSugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:30:45 PDT

Showtime's The Tudors has been renewed for a third season, USA Today reports.
Variety has news that Ang Lee's next directorial project will be Taking Woodstock, the autobiography of Elliot Tiber, a Catskills motel worker who played a pivotal role in making the Woodstock concert happen.
Naomi Campbell will guest-star on the season finale of Ugly Betty, the Associated Press reports.
Virginia Madsen has joined the cast of the Amelia Earhart biopic, which already included Hilary Swank and Richard Gere, writes ComingSoon.
Mariah Carey had her best album debut ever this week, easily landing at the top of the charts, Billboard reports.
TV Land will be airing a modeling competition focusing solely on women 35 and older; details are at The Futon Critic.
Tom Cruise's 13-year-old son Connor will have a minor, nonspeaking part as the younger version of Will Smith's character in the drama Seven Pounds, the AP reports.
Contestants from the VH1 game shows with "love" in the name (Flavor of Love, etc.) will compete in a new show called For Love or Money to win cash prizes, TV Guide reports.
Variety has the just-announced lineup for this year's Cannes Film Festival, which will include Clint Eastwood's 1920s thriller The Changeling starring Angelina Jolie, Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona . . . and Kung Fu Panda.

Photo courtesy of Showtime