BuzzSugar

Buzz News Roundup, 4/18

BuzzSugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:31:25 PDT

According to ComingSoon, IFC has picked up Madonna's directorial movie venture, Filth and Wisdom, and will give it a theatrical run.
Scrubs and 30 Rock will swap timeslots starting next week, The Futon Critic reports.
Keyboardist Danny Federici of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band has died at the age of 58, Billboard reports.
Howie Mandel will star in a new unscripted sitcom for NBC, TV Guide reports.
Variety reports that Jennifer Garner and her producing partner Juliana Janes now have a first-look deal with Warner Bros. for their production company Vandalia Films.
The AP has news about the Houdini musical coming to Broadway in the Spring of 2010.
Zap2it writes that HBO has documentaries lined up for Monday nights this summer, including Sundance hit The Black List and films about Roman Polanski and high school debate teams.
Ridley Scott will direct Casey Affleck in the period noir drama The Kind One, writes Variety.
Halle Berry will star in and produce the psychological thriller Frankie and Alice, ComingSoon reports.

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Buzz News Roundup, 2/6

BuzzSugar — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 13:42:28 PST

Reuters has an appreciation of Beatles spiritual mentor Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who died overnight.
Brittany Murphy may be Lindsay Lohan's replacement in the dark comedy Poor Things, writes Hollywood Reporter.
Billboard has news that Metallica, Pearl Jam, and Kanye West will headline Bonnaroo this year - and not Led Zeppelin, as some sources erroneously reported.
ComingSoon reports that Josh Brolin may go from playing George W. Bush to playing the new Terminator.
Debra Messing has nabbed a role in the family dramedy Humboldt Park, Variety reports.
Zap2It has the news that Casey Affleck is attached to star in a film adaptation of Tom Epperson's period noir drama The Kind One.
The Selma Blair/Molly Shannon show Kath and Kim has been given a series order by NBC, writes Hollywood Reporter.
According to ComingSoon, Emilio Estevez's directorial follow-up to Bobby will be a social drama titled The Public, which will be set in a library.
Late-night host (and new citizen) Craig Ferguson will host the annual White House Correspondents Dinner, Variety reports.

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What Makes Chili Chili?

Sara Yoo — Fri, 25 May 2012 11:15:25 PDT

Recently, reader Blanca123 raised some interesting questions when responding to our recipe for President Obama's chili:

"Kindly explain why you call this pitifully flavored 'meat one-pot' a chili . . . Where's the heat? No cayenne, red pepper flakes or even hot sauce, much less real fresh chiles? Turmeric? Why?"

She sure got us thinking about what are the intrinsic elements of a true pot of chili. At its most basic level, the slow-simmered one-pot dish contains meat, tomatoes, and some form of heat (chiles, chili powder, hot sauce, etc.), but as most fierce chili chefs will tell you, the secret's in the sauce: everyone has his or her own magical blend.

Traditional Texas-style chili is also known as chili con carne: a blend of meat, tomatoes, and chiles, but strictly free of one ingredient. As devout Texas chili adherents like to say, "If you know beans about chili, you know chili ain't got no beans." Chili beans (that is, chili con carne with beans) is also a perfectly acceptable dish, but don't omit that key second word. However, whether in the Lone Star State or elsewhere, beans often show up in chili recipes and were used historically when meat was expensive or scarce.

So we want to hear from you: beans or no beans? Does it need to be three-alarm heat or can it still be parked at the station? Can it still carry the lofty title when made with white beans? What makes chili . . . well, chili?

Hysteria Director Tanya Wexler Talks Vibrators, Faking It, and Duck Sex

Tara Block — Fri, 25 May 2012 04:00:15 PDT

Don't be shy . . . It's time to talk sex toys! And Hysteria director Tanya Wexler is writing us a prescription for pleasure. Tanya's film - what she calls "the vibrator movie you can bring your mom to" - is in limited release and stars Hugh Dancy, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Rupert Everett. When working on a romantic comedy that centers around the invention of the vibrator, you end up with some entertaining and embarrassing situations along the way, and lucky for us, Tanya spilled all the hilariously dirty details. From teaming up with the film's partner Jimmyjane for a drive-by vibrator drop-off to a certain female Oscar-winner to trying unsuccessfully to get ducks to shag on command, Tanya was bursting with great stories from working on this very unconventional film. And while Tanya isn't ashamed to discuss the sexy subject matter of her latest film with us, the mother of four and her partner of 21 years did have a tricky challenge telling her preteen kids what her movie was about. (She eventually gave them the script and let them figure it out themselves!) Check out our interview with the fun-loving director now, and we dare you not to have a girl crush on her by the end!

TrèsSugar: What were some of the challenges to getting a movie made about vibrators?
Tanya Wexler: Getting the script right was tricky because if you just make a movie about the invention of the vibrator, it's actually a really short movie: you go "bzz" and it's done. And we had a kind of light romantic comedy. I say I made the vibrator movie you can bring your mom to. But some people wanted it to be raunchy or some people wanted it to be more serious and about feminism. People project a lot onto this movie of what they want, because there isn't a lot out there about vibrators and women's pleasure, and we still don't really deal with that topic very well, or we're overly antsy around it. And as a result, people have a lot of ideas of what the movie could and should be, and you can't please everyone. [laughs]

TS: Ha, good one.
TW: It's nonstop!

TS: Do you find sex toys inherently funny or something to be seriously celebrated?
TW: Yes!

TS: Both?
TW: Yes! Yes. I think they make me laugh, and I think that the inner kind of Beavis and Butt-head in all of us goes "[laugh]." You know, that inner 13-year-old, like, "Hahaha vibrator . . . " and yet they're awesome and fun.

TS: What shocked you the most when researching the movie?
TW: That ducks are the rapists of the bird world, and you'll see when you see the movie, because there's a little bit of questionable duck behavior - or awesome duck behavior - in the movie. It's totally a sidebar, but you cannot make ducks shag on command. I'm just saying.

TS: What about the whole history of hysteria being a medical condition?
TW: When I first heard the idea, I was like, "What do you mean it was invented in Victorian times?" I knew about hysteria, but the idea that the treatment was manual [British accent] massage deparaxism - which is what they called it - and, of course, the denial. The most shocking thing is the denial, that they didn't think it was sexual.

TS: Do you think they were really in denial?
TW: No, I don't think that some people were. My college roommate was with her high school boyfriend for two years and she had never had an orgasm. I think there's all kinds of denial, especially with women's sexuality. So the fact that there are young women today who haven't had an orgasm, whether self-induced - which is insane - or with a partner, then why wouldn't we think back then that women wouldn't know what orgasms were?

They would get a massage, and the doctor's saying, "Without a penis, this isn't sex, because sex is about procreation," so what is this? The best physical therapy you've ever had. So once you don't think of it as something other than what the doctor's supposed to do to cure your uncontrollable crying or uncontrollable laughter or whatever, then it's just an awesome muscle spasm. If you don't think women have their own inherent sexuality, then you're not thinking about it like that.

Keep reading for Tanya's thoughts on Fifty Shades and more!

8 Myths About Sex Differences

The Good Men Project — Fri, 25 May 2012 02:00:49 PDT

We're happy to present this story from one of our favorite sites, The Good Men Project. Today, Agustín Fuentes points out that when it comes to men and women, what "everyone knows" isn’t what science shows.

Everyone knows that men and women are really different. We think differently and act differently because we are wired differently. I mean look at our brains and genitals: they are just plain different. Right?

Wrong.

What if many of the things we assume about the biology of difference are not so different at all? What if it is not our “wiring” but the ways in which our bodies and minds develop and play out in society that makes us seem so unalike? Could it be that men and women are more similar than we think?

I Dumped the Love of My Life and Now She Doesn’t Trust Me

Yes, women give birth and lactate and men do not. And yes, men are, on average, slightly larger than women and usually have greater upper body strength. There are these basic biological differences between the sexes and they are important . . . but why always focus on the differences and not the biological, and behavioral, similarities? Ahh, that would be because of gender.

Gender is a powerful reality; it is the perception and expectation of differences between males and females and it shapes both our bodies and our society. Gender differences are real and important, but they are not hard wired or even static. There is no biological or evolutionary mandate that only women really care for babies and show emotions, or that males are the best at economics and politics and prefer beers and skirt-chasing to domestic bliss. These are patterns of gender roles and expectations that shape the ways we look at our biology and behavior. They influence the way we expect the world to be. It is the strength of the societal myths about sex that fool us into thinking that men and women are so different by nature.

So let’s bust some of those myths.

Gender and sex are the same thing.

Sex and gender are interconnected, but not the same thing. Sex is a biological state that is measured via what chromosomes you have (XX or XY, usually) and aspects of your body and physiology. Gender includes the roles, expectations and perceptions that a given society has for the sexes. Most societies have two genders on a masculinity-femininity continuum. Some have more. We are born with a biological sex, but acquire gender. There is a ton of individual diversity within societies and sexes in regards to how sex and gender play out in behavior and personality.

There is an extensive body of data demonstrating this, but people interested only in specific differences between men and women choose to ignore it.

Male and female genitals are totally different.

Most people think that male and female genitals are about as different as can be: penis=male and vagina=female. But even this basic dichotomy is not quite correct: the genitals emerge from the same mass of embryonic tissue. For the first six weeks of life the tissue masses develop identically. At about 6-7 weeks, depending on whether the fetus has XX or XY chromosomes (usually), the tissues to start to differentiate. One part of the tissues begins to form the clitoris or penis and another forms the labia or scrotum. Another area begins to form into either the testes or the ovaries. This means that physiologically, male and female genitals are made of the same stuff and work in similar ways.

Male and female brains are different.

If there were really deep seated differences between male and female human behavior and biology they should show up in the brain. The genitals start in the same place and end up looking different, the brain does not. Our brains are pretty much the same. Male brains are a bit bigger than females’ (like their bodies) and females’ brains stop growing earlier than males (as with their bodies). However, whatever one may believe about other organs, in the case of healthy brains, size really does NOT matter one iota. There also might be a few differences in a small part of the brain called the straight gyrus (need more testing in this one). Other than these minor aspects there are no consistent and replicated reliable differences in male and female brains; it is a human brain . . . but how we use it is another matter.

Hormones make the difference.

Everyone thinks that males and females have different hormones . . . testosterone for men and estrogen for women. Nope, all the actual hormones in males and females are the same: there are no male-only or female-only hormones. Both men and women can get a flood of testosterone when they get into a fight or take part in an exhilarating sports match. Both men and women can get a flood of oxytocin and prolactin when they pick up a newborn baby. There can be differences in the levels, patterns, and impacts of some of these hormones in male and female bodies, but individual variation is often more important than the variation between the sexes.

Keep reading for the rest.

New Trailer For The Watch: See the Aliens!

Maggie Pehanick — Thu, 24 May 2012 17:21:51 PDT

The latest preview for The Watch is here, and while the first trailer for the suburban alien-fighting comedy gave us a good look at the bromance between Ben Stiller, Jonah Hill, Vince Vaughn, and Richard Ayoade, it was lacking in plot. Now we get a look at not only the characters, but also a little bit more of the story, and we even get a peek at one of the aliens. I mean, it's dead (kind of) but it's still pretty exciting.

This trailer definitely isn't as crass as the first red-band one, but I don't think its lack of crudeness takes away from the dynamic between the characters. Now we know the origin of the sweet neighborhood watch jackets ("It's like the Chinese symbol for shut up and dance!") and the group's skilled interrogation techniques. Plus we still get to see some exploding cow. The movie hits theaters July 27, but you can check out the new trailer after the jump.

9 Ways to Earn Extra Cash When Money Is Tight

Wise Bread — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:51:58 PDT

I'm sure everyone can do with a little more cash in their wallets. Here are some great suggestions by Wise Bread for you to make extra money.

Even though I'm self-employed full-time, I'm always looking for new and exciting ways to make more money.

Earlier this year, I wrote a Wise Bread post on websites that can help you earn extra cash. More recently, I came across a blog post on Zaarly titled, "10 Ways to Make Money Without a Job." After reviewing the latter post, I thought it was time to revisit the topic and let you in on a few more ways to get paid.

The ideas that Zaarly presents are perfect for the unemployed or those who just want to pad their pockets a little more. In addition, there are moonlighting jobs that I do that I thought you should know about. Thus, if you're without a steady paycheck or you just want to build up a rainy-day stash, here are some of your options.

1. Offer Experiences to Strangers

I recently learned about a new site called Vayable, which allows people with specialized knowledge and talents, local info, and time on their hands to create experiences that others can purchase. It's basically a touring and activity company without the company. Anyone can join the site and set up an experience. For instance, the Kan Brothers offer motorcycle tours of San Francisco - which include helmet rental, a drink at a local hot spot, and a city map - for two to four people at $75 per person. In New York City, Kim G. is offering a personalized painting lesson for groups of two to six for a flat rate of $300; the experience includes acrylic paints; canvas board and supplies; studio space; wine, cheese, and crackers; and Kim’s undivided attention. Consider this tip if you're interested in joining Vayable: Browse the site to see what other people in your area are offering. By creating a unique experience that no one else has established, you have a better chance of getting booked.

Read on for more.

What Foods Did You Despise as a Child but Grow to Love as an Adult?

Lauren Hendrickson — Thu, 24 May 2012 10:15:24 PDT

Every child has a food that's an absolute no. It varies by kid; my niece loves everything from asparagus to calamari to brussels sprouts, but she'll turn her nose up at mushrooms every time, no matter how they're prepared.

When I was growing up, I was a pretty adventurous eater, but I despised frozen peas - so much that I made up an elaborate story about them being my doll's favorite thing on the entire planet and got away with passing along my helping to her whenever the vegetable was served at dinner. For most of my life, I continued my disdain of peas of all kinds: frozen, canned, and fresh. Then one Spring, I popped open one of those English pea pods at the farmers market and fell in love. Now, whenever this time of year rolls around, I can't wait to shell fresh peas.

I'm curious to know your stories: what foods did you hate as a kid that you've since learned to love?

Photo: Lauren Hendrickson

Vote For Your Favorite Luxe Home Design in This Beautiful NYC Building!

Lizzie Fuhr — Thu, 24 May 2012 06:00:29 PDT

A new kind of design competition in New York has just caught our eye. A new MetroLoft luxury building, 116 John St., got creative and hosted its very own interior design competition. Six up-and-coming designers traveled to the building and put their personal touches on model homes. Each of the designs is absolutely lovely, and interior design extraordinaire Deborah Berke is going to have a tough time picking a favorite! But you can make your mark too. Go to the MetroLoft Facebook page to vote on your favorite home and help one of these designers take home the award for fan favorite. Click through and prepare to be inspired!

Kanye West Shows PDA With Kim and Jay-Z Dances to B's Music at Big Cannes Premiere

Lauren Turner — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:49:35 PDT

Kanye West posed with a Balmain-clad Kim Kardashian at the Belvedere-sponsored premiere of his Cruel Summer in Cannes this evening. Jay-Z and Leonardo DiCaprio's pal Lukas Haas were also on hand for the event, which was Kanye's first at the Cannes Film Festival. Kanye said of the production, "It's actually kind of surreal seeing the film come to fruition right here. I can dream one day that this will be the way that one day people will watch movies. I want to change what entertainment experiences are like."

Kim and Kanye spent the day together in the South of France and stuck by each other's side for tonight's bash as well. We spotted them showing serious PDA and kissing throughout the party. Jay-Z, meanwhile, snacked on sushi and bobbed his head when the DJ played Beyoncé's "Love on Top." Some of Jay-Z's own jams provided the soundtrack for the big night as well.