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What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 13:30:11 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 these three creepy thrillers that join the others on video store shelves today, Wild Hogs also comes out on DVD, as well as David Lynch's Inland Empire.

The Lookout
One of my favorite thrillers of the year so far, The Lookout has Jeff Daniels and Joseph Gordon-Levitt both turning in superb performances as the good-natured blind man Lewis (Daniels) and his mentee Chris (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). Chris suffers a severe head injury from a car accident that cut short his promising athletic future. Now working as a janitor at a bank and living with his blind friend, Chris falls in with the smooth talking Gary Spargo and his posse (including the sweet and sexy Luvlee played by Isla Fisher).

Gary lures Chris into his bank heist, preying on Chris' loneliness and desire to feel powerful again. At the last minute, though, Chris has second thoughts. Chilling and suspenseful throughout, The Lookout is a fantastically worthwhile thriller. For more of my take, check out my review.

For two more thrilling titles,

Fracture
Fracture pits the adorable and arresting Ryan Gosling against the ever-shifty Anthony Hopkins in a capable legal thriller. Gosling plays Willy Beachum, the up-and-coming assistant district attorney tasked with linking Ted Crawford (Hopkins) to the murder of Ted's wife. Hopkins shows nothing new with his performance, relying on his old Silence of the Lambs tricks to once again portray a clever yet disturbed criminal while Gosling does his very best to pick up the slack. It's a decent rental for a spooky night, however, especially if you need a Gosling fix.

Vacancy
Kate Beckinsale and Luke Wilson star in this horror/thriller that takes place at a creepy motel (hence the title). David (Wilson) and Amy Fox (Beckinsale) are forced to stay in the shady Pinewood Motel when their car breaks down in the middle of nowhere. In the cursed Room 4, they turn on the TV and watch some slasher films... until they realize the low-budget movies were all filmed in their very motel room. Vacancy doesn't break any new ground, but it provides a few good scares if you're in the mood.

The Lookout: Quiet, Dark, Worthwhile

BuzzSugar — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 07:00:24 PDT

The Lookout is mostly slow-moving and pretty quiet, which makes the action that much more exciting when it quickly advances, and the denouement that much more satisfying. If one can disregard the tidily wrapped-up ending and some convenient coincidences, the film is a successful piece modern noir featuring a sweet-faced kid and his blind, lovable buddy. Screenwriter Scott Frank delivers a solid product with his first directorial attempt. And in fact, when Frank's script seems weak, the direction and performances step up to fill in the gaps.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt (a.k.a. "that kid from '3rd Rock From the Sun'") plays Chris Pratt, a teenage jock whose promising future is dashed when he crashes his car, leaving him with a brain injury that effects his short-term memory. Now Chris works as a janitor in a bank, his hubris replaced with guilt and anger. It doesn't help that Chris's family is unabashedly ashamed of his disability. Chris's main source of support is his blind roommate, Lewis, played by a refreshingly comedic Jeff Daniels. With his protective good-nature, Lewis has confidence in the duo's futures. But of course, it's not that simple, so

However, skeezy bank-robbing Gary Spargo (Matthew Goode) targets Chris as his new best friend, needing Chris's after hours access to the bank and recognizing his obvious desire for power in his life. Ultimately, Chris becomes so entangled in the heist plan that by the time he starts having second thoughts, it's too late. At that point in the film, the tension mounts rapidly, but then after the climactic scene, everything neatly wraps up, and the movie's over.

The thing that separates this noir thriller from the pack is that the main characters' disabilities heighten the stakes considerably, making us root for the characters more fervently than we otherwise would. More than just good vs. evil, there's the sense of injustice that comes from the strong exploiting the weak. Whether this was the intention or not, I left the movie with a new sensitivity toward the "handi-capable." The story's end is predictable from the start, but because it's the ending you're so earnestly hoping for, it doesn't feel like a cop-out. With this ending we can retain a belief in goodness prevailing, which is always nice.

Photos courtesy of Miramax

Isla and Josh are Still on The Lookout

PopSugar — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 15:58:19 PDT

Young Hollywood up and comers Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Isla Fisher celebrated their new movie, The Lookout, at last night's NY premiere. Luckily, Joseph looks to have healed since last week's LA premiere while Isla continued to shine in a form fitting black number. The Lookout, a dark crime thriller (check out the trailer here), comes out this Friday, but it's already getting good reviews. We can't wait to see these two actors, whom we probably know best from comedic roles (Wedding Crashers for her and Third Rock from the Sun for him), show us their serious acting chops.

For more pics including Jeff Daniels, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Sergio del Zio just

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Movie Preview: The Lookout

BuzzSugar — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 04:20:32 PDT

Aside from Blades of Glory, the only other films coming out nationwide this Friday are the animated family flick Meet the Robinsons and the neo-noir crime thriller The Lookout. I'm more interested in the thriller, though I won't be surprised if Meet the Robinsons does well at the box office (see: TMNT).

In The Lookout, which marks screenwriter Scott Frank's (Out of Sight, Get Shorty) directorial debut, Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Chris, a high school jock whose bright future is demolished when a car crash leaves him brain damaged. Struggling to regain a normal life, he accepts a job as a bank janitor, only to find himself enmeshed in a heist attempt. Jeff Daniels costars as Chris' blind mentor, and Isla Fisher plays a mysterious siren.

The Lookout looks like a real treat for fans of indie film - and for anyone following Gordon-Levitt's career. In Brick, he proved his uncanny noir abilities, and he often reminds me of a young Edward Norton. Watch for my review this Friday and in the meantime, you can check out the trailer if you

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Isla is One to Lookout For

PopSugar — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 13:56:08 PDT

Isla Fisher certainly looked the part of the sexy siren at the premiere of her new film The Lookout last night. Her fiance, Sacha Baron Cohen, was also on hand, but managed to elude photographers and let Isla shine on her big night. Rather than stay home and watch Dirt, Courteney was out on the red carpet too, perhaps the girls stayed in touch after the Borat premiere? Unfortunately it looks like the film's leading man, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, looks like he had a bit of an accident before the big night.

The thriller film stars Joseph as a mentally impaired janitor who is sucked into a bank heist. Isla plays his bad girl love interest, which is a little different than her hilarious character in Wedding Crashers, but we're sure she was up for the task.

For The Lookout trailer and more pics including Jodie Foster, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Carla Gugino, and Matthew Goode just

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Images include Courteney Cox, Isla Fisher, Jodie Foster, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Carla Gugino, Matthew Goode

Video of the Day: Disney's Space Mountain With the Lights On

Anna Monette Roberts — Sun, 20 May 2012 09:41:02 PDT

The thrill of Disney World's Space Mountain roller coaster is blasting through the unexpected drops, twists, and turns in utter darkness, save for those twinkling stars. A lucky few have experienced the roller coaster with the lights on. Be on the lookout for a "101" announcement when boarding the ride: in Disney jargon, it means "nonoperational." Fingers crossed, it could be a chance to hop on a slow but steady "PeopleMover" cart to experience Space Mountain with the lights on. Watch the video to see the steel behind the magic.

Trendspotting: Southeast Asian Fast-Casual Restaurants

Susannah Chen — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:05:50 PDT

In the past year, there's been significant growth nationwide in the number of fast-casual eateries, from burger joints to healthier comfort-food fixtures. The latest craze we've noticed hitting this scene? Asian-themed chain restaurants.

Chipotle could've tackled a number of ethnic eats, so the Mexican chain certainly caught our attention when it unveiled its plan for ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen, "inspired by the traditional shophouses through Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam." Then we raised our eyebrows when a former chef at San Francisco's renowned Slanted Door restaurant opened the first of what will be several Bay Area locations of Asian Box, a healthier riff on Asian street food.

Meanwhile, Canada-based Wok Box has been preparing to bring its stir-fry boxes and curry dishes to the western part of the United States this year. And just this week, a former Hooters chef announced his new venture, a minichain of Atlanta-based Latin fusion restaurants bearing the name Taqueria Tsunami.

Regardless of where diners are in the country, it's clear they're on the lookout for the explosive flavor combinations that come from Southeast Asian cuisines. Are you excited at the prospect of more Southeast Asian cuisine in your neck of the woods?

Photo courtesy Sonya Yu for Asian Box

Pintastic! 10 Pinterest Users Every Mom Should Follow

Lisa Horten — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:06:04 PDT

If you're as Pin-happy as we are these days, you're probably always on the lookout for inspiring new users to follow. Lucky for you, we've already done the legwork, as we combed Pinterest for some of the very best and most active boards (and creators) on the site. From crafts to parties, cupcakes to home decor, check out these 10 Pinterest users that are likely to inspire every mom out there. Happy pinning!

A Simple Guide to Writing Your Own Wedding Vows

Laura Marie Given — Tue, 15 May 2012 04:00:14 PDT

Choosing to write your own wedding vows can make for a special, personalized ceremony - but it can also mean late nights spent agonizing over each and every line. Your wedding vows are some of the most meaningful words you'll ever say, so it's important to take your time and consider all the possibilities. To make things a bit easier for you, we've come up with a few simple, helpful ideas that will streamline the process.

Set Guidelines:

Decide early on whether you'd prefer to write your vows together or individually. Another option? You can write an opening or closing line together, then personalize the rest of the vows separately.
If you plan to write them individually, agree on a proper length. Depending on the length of your ceremony, you should aim to speak for around 30 seconds to one minute each.
Consider the reading options. Are you good at memorization? Are you worried that your nerves will get the best of you? Ask yourselves if you'd like to memorize your vows or repeat them after your officiant.

Plan Ahead:

To stay sane, don't wait until the last minute. Several months before the big day, start a brainstorm list on your phone or in a notebook so that you can jot down ideas as they come to you.
Be on the lookout for phrases, quotes, or special moments you may want to include. Check out sample vows online to get an idea of which style and content appeals most to you. A poem? A list? A few simple sentences?

Gather Inspiration:

Step back and consider your relationship: its past, the present, and what you hope for the future. Jot down some special memories and funny anecdotes, then list the qualities you love most in your fiancé.
To get in the writing zone, reread your favorite quotes, poems, or even novels. Don't be afraid to deviate from the norm, either. Personal vows can be as traditional or as unconventional as you'd like, so get creative and let yourself think outside the box.

Edit, Edit, Edit:

Remember that you're writing wedding vows - a promise, not a flowery speech - so you should get to the heart of what you want to say. Be thoughtful and concise, and do your best to make every word count.
Worried about the length? Look to traditional vows as a guideline, then read your own vows aloud to see where you may be able to cut.

Did you write your own wedding vows? Share any tips in the comments below!

Photo by Orchard Cove Photography via Style Me Pretty

Drew Barrymore's Mum's-the-Word Maternity Style

Kate Stahl — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:16:29 PDT

While Drew Barrymore hasn't confirmed she's expecting her first child with fiancé Will Kopelman, her growing baby bump tells its own story. The actress was photographed holding a sonogram image in February, and ever since, she's been sporting a laid-back style, featuring belly-hiding t-shirts and oversize jackets. But Drew is no style slouch, and she's amped up her casual clothing with designer pieces (loving her printed Dries Van Noten jacket!) and on-trend accessories, while hanging with her fiancé in LA, NYC, and Paris (a babymoon, perhaps?). We're still on the lookout for an official announcement, but for now, the proof's in the bump.