BuzzSugar

What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 12:30:15 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 my selections below you can also catch up on season four of Eli Stone.

The Office: Season Four
There are a handful of TV shows that I love to own and have handy for when I need a pick-me-up, and The Office is definitely one of them. Hurray for the release of season four and more of "The World’s Greatest Boss!" The season started out slow for me but got a lot better as it progressed, and Jim and Pam tentatively entering into a romance was a definite highlight.

Special features include deleted scenes, outtakes, commentary on "Did I Stutter?" and featurettes titled "The Office Convention: Writer's Block Party" and "Goodbye, Toby Music Video."

Two more movies, so

Then She Found Me
I added this little gem of a movie to my must-haves list for the month of September, but I wanted to remind you again - it's just that good. Then She Found Me stars - and was directed by - Helen Hunt and features a really talented cast including Colin Firth, Matthew Broderick, and Bette Midler.

Based on a book of the same name, the movie follows April (Hunt), a middle-aged elementary school teacher who is adopted but, when faced with trouble getting pregnant, refuses adoption as an option for herself. Her issues only get more complicated by marriage problems, a death in the family, and the introduction of her biological mother (a sparkling Midler). If you didn't catch this in the theater, I highly recommend it!

Special features include director's commentary with Helen Hunt, cast interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and the theatrical trailer

Married Life
There were a lot of things I enjoyed about this dark drama starring Rachel McAdams, Chris Cooper, Patricia Clarkson, and Pierce Brosnan, including the acting, the sweet and uplifting ending, the fantastic costumes, and the way the movie captures the 1940s atmosphere. Overall, it's not a perfect film, but it's definitely worth adding to the old queue.

Extras include commentary with director Ira Sachs and three alternate endings.

Then She Found Me: A Sweet Treat for Mother's Day

BuzzSugar — Mon, 05 May 2008 06:30:30 PDT

The first thing actress-turned-director Helen Hunt's film has going for it is a capable and enchanting cast that includes Hunt, Colin Firth, Matthew Broderick, and Bette Middler. I have a hard time calling Then She Found Me a romantic comedy because, unlike recent additions to the genre, no one in this cast plays a scene for an easy laugh. Instead, each actor approaches his or her character as a human being - as complicated and flawed as any of us. The humor comes, as in life, with truth. Specifically, Midler's character could easily become a farcical caricature but instead is played with such restraint that the result is both touching and funny.

The movie follows April (Hunt), a middle-aged elementary school teacher who is adopted, yet when faced with trouble getting pregnant, refuses adoption as an option. Yes, Hunt is quite thin in this film, but it didn't shock me so much as it seemed like the physical state of a woman who is exhausted by her frustrating situation, which is compounded by marriage problems and a death in the family.

The joy of the movie comes from the way in which Hunt's character begins to open her heart to a new love - and to her biological mother. A touching story about motherhood? What perfect timing! To see the other reasons I enjoyed this little film,

I don't think I've ever seen adoption handled onscreen in quite this way before, specifically the way this story (based on the novel by Elinor Lipman) subtly explores the identity issues an adoptee may have later in life. April's struggle to come to terms with being an adopted child has started to seep into her daily life, and she tries to find clarity when it comes to her relationships. Matthew Broderick plays Ben, April's emotionally immature husband who decides he doesn't want to be married soon after they're wed. So, he moves in with his mom. Yeah, he's that guy. But despite his Peter Pan complex (and his less-than-crushworthy physique), April has a hard time moving on, even with the steadfast Frank (Firth playing a role that's familiar but no less adorable), who is ready and able to love her.

Just as April's love life couldn't be more complicated, her adopted mother dies and her charismatic, self-absorbed birth mother, Bernice Graves (Midler) decides she wants a relationship with her. Of course, Bernice doesn't bat an eye at the havoc she might wreak on her biological daughter's life by entering it. All of these forces combine to take April on an emotional journey that is interesting and often funny.

This film isn't perfect and some scenes feel just a touch overwrought, or the dialogue is a teeny bit stilted or "artsy" - a word that came to mind during exchanges like, "Is it you?" "It's me, is it you?" "It's me." But the performances are emotional and sometimes unsettling, the laughs are earned and best of all, the plot is anything but predictable. It all amounts to a terrific directorial debut by Hunt as well as a treat for those of us who like a good laugh and an honest tug at the old heartstrings. Take your mom if you can.

Photos courtesy of THINKFilm

Then SJP, Matthew and Helen Found Their Premiere

Molly — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:30:38 PDT

Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick were matching in pretty blue at last night's premiere of his new movie Then She Found Me in NYC last night. His costar and director, Helen Hunt looked smokin' in her skin tight gold number as she posed with a dressed down Matthew Perry. This little comedy looks like an adorable take on finding what, and who is right for you, something the other half of the SJP-Broderick couple will be tackling on the big screen soon too. While the similarities between this and Sex and the City end there - forgive me, I'm a little giddy from getting yet another new preview last night. Spring is here and love movies are definitely in the air.

To see more of the premiere including Carson Kressley, Colin Firth, Jessica Seinfeld, Jerry Seinfeld and more just

View 14 Photos ›

Images Include: Carson Kressley, Helen Hunt, Sarah Jessica Parker, Natasha Bedingfield, Matthew Broderick, Matthew Perry, Colin Firth, Jessica Seinfeld, Jerry Seinfeld, Ben Shenkman, Kathy Najimy, Gloria Steinem, Ricki Lake

Source

Movie Preview: Then She Found Me

BuzzSugar — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 07:30:44 PDT

Prepare your "ahh"s and your "yay!"s because the trailer for Helen Hunt's directorial debut, Then She Found Me, is packed with adorable actors (Bette Midler, Colin Firth, Matthew Broderick), charming moments, humor, and romance.

Helen Hunt is both director and star of this movie based on a bestselling novel by Elinor Lipman which centers around a woman who's biological mother (Midler) comes smashing into her life right as her romantic world seems to be unraveling. I'm so glad to see Hunt back to perfectly embodying the decent, intelligent woman who wears her heart on her sleeve. She described this project as a "very weird, funny story," and I can't wait to check it out.

The movie will open in limited release May 2. To take a gander at the trailer for yourself,

Photo courtesy of THINKFilm

Nighttime Fasting: A New Way to Lose Weight?

Shape — Thu, 24 May 2012 04:09:52 PDT

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar. This week Shape turns to Cynthia Sass, a registered dietitian with master's degrees in both nutrition science and public health.

If you couldn’t let anything cross your lips from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m., but you were allowed to eat anything you wanted for eight hours a day and still lose weight, would you try it? That’s the apparent bottom line of a rat study published in the journal Cell Metabolism, which recently stirred up the weight loss pot.

Top 50 Summer Diet Foods for Weight Loss

Scientists put groups of mice on different diet regimens for 100 days. One group of rodents ate healthy food while animals in two of the groups chowed down on high-fat, high-calorie feed. Half of the junk food eaters were allowed to munch whenever they wanted to while the others only had access to feed for the eight hours they were most active. The conclusion: even though they ate a fatty diet, the mice who were forced to fast for 16 hours were almost as lean as those who ate the healthy fare. Interestingly, the round the clock junk food eaters became obese and developed health problems, even though they consumed about the same amount of fat and calories as the time-restricted junk food fed mice.

See if a nutritionist thinks nighttime fasting works after the break!

Jane Krakowski Says Jenna Would Play Anastasia in Fifty Shades of Grey

Annie Scudder — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:10:25 PDT

30 Rock's season finale aired last week, and it's official that the next season will be its last. We caught up with Jane Krakowski, who plays Jenna Maroney, the narcissistic actress engaged to her male impersonator. In addition to her work on 30 Rock, Jane's using her comedic talent for Best Night Ever, an upcoming vignette series for NBC. She'll star alongside Andy Cohen and Giuliana Rancic. We had a chance to talk to Jane, and she reflected on what she's learned from 30 Rock and even took a guess at what Jenna would make of the Fifty Shades of Grey phenomenon. Read on.

TrèsSugar: The S&M erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey is a bestseller and being made into a movie. Do you think Jenna would find it tame?
Jane Krakowski: I'm sure Jenna is buying the rights already to play the role. Everybody's reading that book. I haven't read it yet, but I see it in everyone's hands.

TS: Have you learned anything from your 30 Rock character over the years?
JK: I think my big lesson is to probably not do anything that Jenna does. So whatever she does, do the opposite. You might be better off. But that's the fun part about playing someone like her. You can be as outrageous as possible and get away with it within our structure that is TGS and 30 Rock, so there are so many things that the character has done over the seasons where I'm like, "Really? Are you sure we're going to be able to do this and get away with this?" And in that world and the blanket that is Tina Fey's genius it always seems to be alright. I will trust her wherever she sends me.

TS: Who is your favorite couple on the show?
JK: Well of course I'm thrilled Jenna has taken one step toward being humane by getting engaged. Although, Paul being a wonderful man it's (still) the most narcissistic wedding that could possibly happen, because she's marrying a male impersonator of her. I've always enjoyed Liz Lemon's relationships. I loved when Michael Sheen was on the show. I really adored him. I think her current relationship with the character of Criss is really a great one.

TS: In your latest role in NBC's TV vignettes series titled Best Night Ever, you play a tarot card reader. What would you hope the cards hold for Jenna?
JK: Wow. I sort of wish the tarot card reader would tell me that 30 Rock is not ending after 13 episodes next season. We found out that it's official that we're only going to be doing 13 more. It's been the greatest experience.

You can watch our interview with Jane below and also find out why she's excited about her new role in Best Night Ever.

One Woman's Quest for the Best: The Fastest, Farthest Female Inline Skate

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 22 May 2012 04:23:05 PDT

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

Over the next few months, families will travel across the U.S. via plane, train or car during summer road trips. Kacie Fischer will be covering the same distance (nearly 4,000 miles, on her route), but on inline skates. . . and in just 74 days. If she reaches her goal, Fischer will also be breaking five Guinness World Records in the process.

We caught up with Fischer, a Promax DOer, after a long day of skating to get the backstory about her fit trip which has been two years in the making.

How did you get started with inline skating?

I started skating when I was 7, but didn’t start skating longer distances until I was cross training as a college runner. I found that I could travel a lot farther and see a lot more, plus it was a lot more exhilarating-try flying down a hill at 40+ miles per hour! Inline skating is like running on steroids.

More of Kacie's interview after the break.

"I Snooped and Found Something . . . Now What?"

Tres Community — Tue, 22 May 2012 03:05:00 PDT

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

I'll try my best to make this short. I really appreciate any and all advice here, I am so stumped on what to do.

My boyfriend and I have been together for about three months now. I'm 24 he is 28. We met at work, and were not really friends before we started dating. So basically I have some trust issues because I don't really know much about his dating life before we got together, other than the fact that he was kind of a player.

We have an interesting relationship. Most of the time we are great, have a good time together. He told me he loved me first, probably about two months in. That was a big deal for him because he had only said it to one girl before, and they dated for five years.

A couple weeks ago we had a bad string of fights about all sorts of things, but the past couple weeks have been great with no problems.

I'm not really sure how much of this back story is relevant, but there it is anyway lol.

So back to my trust issues.... I snooped in his phone last night because I just had a bad feeling. I know it's totally wrong and an invasion of privacy, but I couldn't help it. Anyways, I found something. A text conversation between him and another girl from last Saturday late night / Sunday afternoon.

This conversation happened when he was away at a bachelor party all weekend on a boat with a bunch of guys. I was under the impression that he didn't have cell phone service out there, so seeing that he was talking to anyone was kind of a shock, because I didn't hear from him until Monday, only one little text on Saturday.

He initiated the convo, asking for her to send him a video. She responded that her boyfriend probably wouldn't like the type of video he was trying to get her to send. He then asked her for a picture of her boobs the next afternoon. Thankfully she didn't send one. The whole convo was only around 10 texts, and in it he also made a comment implying that he didn't have a girlfriend.

I don't want to be conceited, but I'm an attractive girl. This girl he was talking to is really not that pretty and also pretty white trash.

Also I'm not a prude, we have a great sex life and see each other all the time, so it's not like he's missing anything in that department. I had actually sent him a naked picture two days before this, so why would he go asking another girl for the same thing?

I'm so confused. I really don't know what to do in this situation, so please if anyone has been there, let me know how you handled it. I really want to trust him deep down, and don't think he's actually cheating on me, but this is definitely not ok behavior. What do I do?

Thanks for any help!

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

"My Co-Worker Has Feelings For My Boyfriend"

Tres Community — Mon, 21 May 2012 03:05:45 PDT

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

I desperately need some advice. Here goes . . .

Me, my friend, and new boyfriend work at the same workplace. My friend is pretty close to my boyfriend as they work in the same department. I was fine with this before I found out she had a crush on him at the same time as me. It all started when I told her that I had a crush on this guy. I told him how I felt, and we eventually started dating. She then told me that she had a crush on him the same time I did. Even though she had a bf at the time, and she knew that I liked him, she still told him how she felt about him. He didn't respond to her feelings. I had no idea about this until we went on our first date, and my friend told me the next day.

I have never had a problem with their friendship until now. They spend a lot of time together at work (he spends his lunchtime with her), and he never makes any effort to see me at work. I am really uncomfortable about them together now that I know how she once felt, and I can't help but feel anxiety. Am I wrong to feel this way? She has become colder toward me since we started dating, and I don't think she realizes it. I can't go on dating him knowing that they go for coffee together after work and they spend a lot of time together at work.

I have doubts about this guy anyway because he ignores me at work (he wants to keep us a secret because he is worried that we will lose credibility) yet he spends all his spare time with my friend. He texts me once a day (yes, really!) and does not phone. I don't mind that, but it just adds to my doubts about him. Am I being paranoid?

Please help me.

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

Jessica Alba Adds Some Glamour to the Business World in a Photo Shoot Celebrating The Honest Company

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:51:57 PDT

She's much more than just a pretty face! Jessica Alba knew she was on to something when she couldn't find a cute, affordable, and eco-friendly diaper after Honor Marie, 3½, was born. And it looks like other people are on to her now too. Jessica, through her founding of The Honest Company, was just recognized as one of the 100 most creative people in business by Fast Company magazine. The actress, activist, and mom of two (lil Haven is 9 months old) posed in a beautiful photo shoot for the magazine, both with and without her daughters, and spoke about the inspiration for her latest venture. Among the parts of the interview that didn't make it into the magazine were her desire to shake up kiddie design and the obstacles she's overcome to get this far.

On incorporating modern design elements: Your baby is so cute, and you have to put a diaper on, and all of a sudden, it's like, wait, there's a paper bag on my baby's bottom! So once we got the effectiveness of our diapers down, I was like, "Why not make it cool?" I have tattoos, I have piercings, I grew up on MTV, I am a global citizen, I've been connected to the Internet pretty much my whole life; I feel like there's no company that speaks to me as a modern mom. I wanted to appeal to different types of aesthetics out there. So for boys' diapers - my partners thought I was completely cuckoo bananas - but we have skulls on a diaper, because I'm obsessed with Alexander McQueen and he makes skulls beautiful. And they were like, "Skulls on babies? No way!" And it's been one of our number one sellers, because people even like them on their girls, believe it or not. So we had anchors, as well, for the more traditional mom, and gingham.

On the whirlwind of creating a new company: I've been through lots of trials and tribulations, and I've learned a lot, and I now appreciate the uphill battle and struggle, because it forced me to be more tenacious and more focused and more passionate than I ever imagined that I could have been. I think that was probably the biggest lesson that I've learned.

Keep reading to see the entire photo shoot!

Photo courtesy of: Fast Company