BuzzSugar

What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 09:30:00 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 the titles below, you can also now rent the 2008 Kids' Choice Award winner for Best Movie: Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
It's no secret that Tim Burton's film adaptation of the musical Sweeney Todd was a major critical hit. It racked up tons of awards, including the Golden Globe for Best Picture and several Oscar nominations in visual categories, not to mention a Best Supporting Actor nod to the film's star, Johnny Depp. Accolades aside, this movie is simply a match made in heaven, with Tim Burton's dark film aesthetic falling perfectly in sync with Stephen Sondheim's bloody, scary musical.

Johnny Depp plays Sweeney Todd, the disturbed barber who becomes a psychopathic serial killer after being wrongfully imprisoned. Burton's beautiful visual style along with an outstanding cast that includes Helena Bonham Carter and Alan Rickman make this movie a can't-miss. One word to the wise though: it's incredibly gory - not just lots of blood but also chopped-up human meat. So, proceed with caution if that kind of thing makes your stomach turn.

The special edition two-disc set features behind the scenes footage of the cast in rehearsals as well as a featurette titled, "Sweeney Todd Is Alive: The Real History of the Demon Barber."

A couple lesser-known titles up next so

read more. The Good Night A film with a cast like this definitely gets my attention: Gwyneth Paltrow, Martin Freeman, Danny DeVito, Penélope Cruz, Simon Pegg, and Michael Gambon. Speaking of Gwyneth, The Good Night is actually a Paltrow family affair, as it was written and directed by Gwyneth's brother Jake. This fairly straightforward romantic comedy had a very limited release in theaters, however, which doesn't bode all that well for the quality of the movie. Then again, sometimes an interesting premise combined with a lot of good intentions and a quality cast make for an at-home viewing adventure, even if it's not executed perfectly. Or maybe I'm kind of geeky like that. Which leads me to my next DVD title of the week. The Cutting Edge 3: Chasing the Dream Is it just me or is there sometimes a lot of inherent sexual tension involved with ice skating pairs? When you are watching real-life Olympic games or something, do you ever want to think that all that eye-gazing and intimate ice dancing means true and everlasting love between them? Maybe this is the reason the '90s cult classic The Cutting Edge was such a hit with many people brave enough to admit it - because it tapped into the love story we've always wanted to exist between skaters. As I've said before, this franchise is alive and well: ABC Family continues to run marathons of all three of the films, and now this third installment is available on DVD! The Cutting Edge 3: Chasing the Dream features hot skating bachelor Zack Conroy (Matt Lanter) who brings a hockey player Alejandra "Alex" Delgado (Francia Raisa) into the figure-skating fold after his former partner - and, naturally, ex-girlfriend - breaks her leg. Bonus features include a special featurette titled, "Making of The Cutting Edge: Chasing the Dream."

This Weekend: The Cutting Edge 1, 2, and 3 (Yes, 3!)

BuzzSugar — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:30:37 PDT

"Toooooe piiiiiick!"

If that still ranks among your all-time favorite movie quotes, then you might be interested to know that The Cutting Edge franchise is basically taking over ABC Family this weekend. The reason: the premiere of the third (yup, third) movie in the series, The Cutting Edge 3: Chasing the Dream, which airs Sunday night.

By now, you know the basic story. This time, it's hot skating bachelor Zack Conroy (Matt Lanter) who brings a hockey player Alejandra "Alex" Delgado (Francia Raisa) into the figure-skating fold after his former partner - and, naturally, ex-girlfriend - breaks her leg. I assume gold medals and whiffs of romance ensue. Oh, and their coach this time is none other than Jackie Dorsey (Christy Carlson Romano), star of The Cutting Edge 2 and the daughter of the couple from the first Cutting Edge. Way to keep it in the family!

Like all Cutting Edge movies, I'm expecting the third installment to be awesomely over-the-top. The original airs tonight at 8 p.m. EDT and PDT, with The Cutting Edge 2 following at 8 p.m. Saturday. They'll also air back-to-back starting at 4 p.m. on Sunday, leading into the premiere of The Cutting Edge 3 at 8 p.m.

I've got the trailer for the new movie, plus clips from the previous two for old time's sake, if you just

read more. The Cutting Edge 3: The Cutting Edge 2: The original: Source

Snacking Good: Natchitoches Meat Pies

OnSugar Blog — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:07:39 PST

We've always wanted to take a stab at rolling out a few Natchitoches meat pies. Thanks to an easy recipe from Food Orleans, this might be a dream realized sooner rather than later.

[Baked or fried? You decide.]

Natchitoches meat pies are one of those special little treats with a name as fun to say as they are to scarf down. Nackadish - that's how you say it - is a small town we drive through on our way north to visit Alexandria or Oklahoma, and it's where Steel Magnolias was filmed, and it's famous for these little pies. It's a beautiful little place, with a picturesque riverfront lined with shops and restaurants that have their own sort of French Quarter-ish wrought iron balconies (remember the Easter scene where Jackson slapped Ouiser? That's the riverfront!). But you don't have to go into the actual town to get yourself some meat pies; just stop at any gas station right off I-10. They all fry them up and they're all pretty wonderful.

For her recipe, continue reading.

Safe House: A Standout Thriller

Lizzie Fuhr — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:05:00 PST

While working for the CIA may seem like a dream job, Matt Weston's (Ryan Reynolds) current position at a Safe House is certainly no picnic. He's a new agent, stationed alone in South Africa, waiting for the chance that he will have a "house guest" (someone who is taken prisoner by the CIA.) Matt's desperately trying to get some field experience so he can be stationed in some other city where he can see a little action. After a year of boredom, his wish comes true when Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington) arrives.

I was constantly on the edge of my seat throughout the film, and felt everyone in the theater being equally enraptured with what was unraveling before our eyes. Safe House has high-stakes moments cut with sardonic, nonchalant comedy that Reynolds and Washington both pull off nicely. I felt connected to everyone's struggles, but the plot kept me unsure if I wanted the good guy or the bad guy to come out on top. To find out why Safe House exceeded my expectations, just keep reading.

Nikon D800 Flaunts the Future of Digital Video

Kelly Schwarze — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:31:11 PST

Vintage photographs may be the trend right now, but when it comes to video we want cutting-edge high definition. Announced this week, the Nikon D800 HD-SLR video camera has the professional-grade imaging capabilities of a camera twice its price.

Available in late March for $3,000, the D800 is still an investment piece, but for working photographers and videographers, it makes sure to pack impressive technical specifications within one device. A jaw-dropping 36.3MP CMOS sensor resolution puts the single digit megapixel cameras of the past to shame, and an ISO range of 100–6400 and HD 1080p video capture still images and video in nearly every condition.

Nikon partnered with filmmaker Sandro Miller to create Joy Ride, a five-minute short filmed entirely on the D800. We think the quality is stunning, emphasizing its work in low-light resolution and fast movements, though it's not for the squeamish as it does include a scene of childbirth. Watch what the D800 is capable of after the break.

Know Your Techniques: Julienne

Camilla Salem — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:56:43 PST

Like the chiffonade, a julienne is a very useful and visually appealing way to cut vegetables. This cut will take many of your dishes to the next level in terms of aesthetics and texture. We're using a zucchini for our demonstration, but this technique works on any number of fruits and vegetables.

Cut a 2 1/2 to 3-inch section of your zucchini so that it stands up straight and square off the round edges.

Slice off 1/8-inch slices of the zucchini, using your knuckles as a guide.

Keep reading for more!

Websites That Offer Free (or Dirt Cheap) Yoga Classes

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:03:37 PST

Yoga may be blissful, but it isn't cheap! Depending on where you live, classes can run you an average of $15 to $20 a pop. Dropping $50 or more for yoga classes each week isn't an option for everyone, but we can all benefit from a regular practice. The internet is bursting with free full-length classes or shortened yoga routines. If you're willing to pay a little, you'll be able to view a greater variety of videos. Here are some sites to check out.

Yoga Today: This site offers one free class each week, and if you're itching for more, download other classes for $3.99 each. If you're really into it, pay $89.95 for a yearly membership, which includes unlimited classes. Store them on your computer and follow along anywhere you happen to be.
Yoga Journal: For beginners and advanced yogis, these videos, ranging in length from five to 35 minutes, are the high quality you'd expect from Yoga Journal. Some of my faves include hip opening sequence Bird by Bird and Heart Wide Open full of chest openers.
My Yoga Online: These videos may not be free, but they're dirt cheap. Pay $9.95 per month or $69.95 for a year, for unlimited access to the entire library. The site also offers popular yoga DVDs such as Body by Bethany and Transform Yourself With Jivamukti. Another plus, you can sample a clip before you buy.

Keep reading for more websites that offer inexpensive yoga classes.

DIY: Cloth Napkins With a Binding Edge

Elka Karl — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 08:00:48 PDT

Feeling crafty this weekend? Interested in adding some DIY elegance to your Thanksgiving table? Then you're in luck! I wanted to share this napkin tutorial I created a few years ago. These napkins are pretty easy to sew, even for beginner seamstresses. Impress your guests this holiday season with handmade napkins.
Over the weekend, I made a slightly more complicated version of our DIY napkins, riffing on a pattern I adapted from The Purl Bee. My sewing style is a little more fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants when it comes to more straight-forward sewing projects. For instance, I didn't pin anything on the project. While this is fine if you're used to working with fabric, I would recommend pinning for this project if you're not comfortable with more "free form" sewing. This is definitely a pretty project though, and one that will get lots of oohs and ahs at your next dinner party. These directions make 12 napkins.

Keep reading for the DIY directions and a photo tutorial for this cloth napkin DIY.

Reader Recipe: Carnitas

OnSugar Blog — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:21:35 PDT

What's the best way to prepare pork? If you ask Yoo Eatz, the answer is clear: as slow-cooked oregano and orange-inflected carnitas.

Ah, pork. Be it crispy golden tonkatsu, softly simmered chile verde, or even a perfectly pan-fried chop, I can't get enough of the other white meat. At the forefront of my porcine passion: carnitas: that tender, flavorful pork crisped at the edges by a hot bath in its own fat. Surprisingly, recipes are bountiful for such a simple dish. I've seen preparations involving braising, roasting, and deep-frying in a backyard turkey fryer, and an exponential number of seasonings, from a healthy dash of salt to a myriad of unconventional ingredients. In the end, it depends on personal preference, and I like my carnitas about as simple as can be with a little Mexican oregano and orange notes to highlight the sweetness of the meat. As for condiments, the more the merrier, but I tend to enjoy pork the most with "green" flavors (tomatillo salsa verde and guacamole), pickled red onions, and salty cotija cheese with homemade corn tortillas, fresh radishes, black beans, and rice on the side.

Read ahead for her carnitas recipe.

Stalled Weight Loss? Sore Muscles? Joy Bauer Has 3 Fast Fixes

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:11:12 PDT

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

In her latest book, Today Show contributor Joy Bauer, R.D., explains that if you make the right diet choices, you can boost your mood, improve your memory and even see healthier skin, hair, and teeth (not to mention drop a few pounds)! Bauer gives you her eating prescription in Food Cures, a book that follows her motto "life is hard . . . food should be easy."

Food Cures highlights 17 different conditions or common health complaints and offers solutions or suggestions based on cutting-edge science to eat your way to your goals. We asked Bauer to share three tips to try today for two areas our readers often ask for help with: easing exercise-induced muscle soreness and busting through a weight-loss plateau.

If you experience post-workout aches and pains . . .

Eat salmon twice a week: "The omega-3s are potent anti-inflammatories. I like canned if I'm in a hurry or hoisin-glazed," Bauer says.
Eat one red bell pepper a day: Surprise! Red bell peppers contain twice as much vitamin C as oranges. The vitamin can ease body aches.
Add a few slices of fresh ginger to hot water: "Ginger has the same compounds in it as many anti-inflammatory medications," Bauer says.

Keep reading to see what foods help with a weight-loss plateau.