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What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 06:30:57 -0700

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 check out the dreamboat special that is Leatherheads and Simon Pegg's comedy Run, Fat Boy, Run.

Sex and the City: The Movie
Well, the big day has arrived: the Sex and the City movie is here for you to rent or own. Whether you missed this one in theaters (hard to imagine) or are excited to fast-forward to your favorite parts, the fab four has come full circle back to your small screen. I'm interested in revisiting this one, since the movie is super long and there is a lot to take in.

This is the kind of movie for which special features were made. Get a load of these: commentary by director Michael Patrick King; a conversation with Sarah Jessica Parker and Michael Patrick King; featurettes titled, "The Fabulous Fashion of Sex and the City," "Fergie in the Studio: Watch a Hit in the Making as the Singer Records Labels or Love for the Movie Soundtrack," and additional scenes.

So, are you bringing this one home this week?

Three more selections to go, so read more.

More TV-to-DVDs
The neverending flow of TV-to-DVD continues this week as more of our favorite shows return to the air with new episodes. Here are two of my favorites, out today.

Samantha Who?: Season One
My mom called after the Emmys to ask about that show Jean Smart is on and I told her Samantha Who?. Then we got into one of those "who's on first?" (ha!) conversations where she kept saying, "Who?" and I would say, "No, that's the name of the show." Anyway, I convinced her to give it a shot because it really is one of the sweetest, most entertaining little scripted comedies around right now. Special features include a blooper reel, deleted scenes, and commentary.
Brothers and Sisters: Season Two
This ABC drama is coming back this Sunday, so catch up on last season while you can! Special features include featurettes ("TV Dinners: Food From Season Two," "Open House: Designing The Brothers and Sisters Set"), and bloopers.

This American Life: Season One
I know a lot of people who, despite my encouragement, still haven't checked out the TV version of this popular Ira Glass NPR radio series, so I'm hoping this DVD release will get more eyeballs on it. The show is unlike most things on television right now, as it gives Americans of all shapes, sizes, colors, and geographical locations a chance to tell their stories.

I can't help but think how nice it feels to explore America this way in the midst of a heated campaign season that can sometimes make the country feel bitterly divided.

Rewind: This Week's Buzz

BuzzSugar — Sat, 03 May 2008 08:00:36 -0700

I can't tell you how much fun I had at the Tribeca Film Festival this year. In addition to making new friends, I saw some terrific (if quirky) movies, like The Wackness, Trucker, and Bart Got a Room. I also gave a word of warning for the bleak and disturbing Savage Grace which still makes me feel kinda icky.
I saw The Life Before Our Eyes, a movie adapted from my April book club selection and I found the movie to be visually gorgeous but also puzzling. Ah well, the book was still a lovely read. Which reminds me - check out my May selection for the book club.
The title Made of Honor confused me and much of the blogosphere this week. Baffling non-puns aside, the movie was, well, boring. All is not lost, though, because it gave me an excellent picture for the Caption It contest.
Woo-hoo! May is going to be a fun month! I've rounded up some of my must-haves for the month, including the Sex and the City movie. Speaking of which, I put together a slideshow all about the essential episodes to catch before the big movie release on May 30.
American Idol was shaping up to be a bit of a snoozer with the Neil "Sparkly Tops" Diamond songbook. But then, just when I was about to doze off, PaulaGate came crashing through. What did you think about her little on-air hiccup?
So now that shows like Gossip Girl and Grey's Anatomy are back in full swing are you still watching as much TV? Or are there some shows you've quit?
There were some cool and even moving music videos out this week, like this one from R.E.M. and an important message from Radiohead. Coldplay even gave us a glimpse of a song from their upcoming album.
Finally, if you're looking for entertainment this weekend I highly recommend seeing Iron Man in the theaters and settling in Sunday night for the season premiere of This American Life on Showtime.

First Look: This American Life, Season Two

BuzzSugar — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 06:30:53 -0700

The gorgeous, intimate television version of This American Life was one of the most pleasant surprises of last TV season. All my fears about how the radio show would translate to the big screen were erased by the end of the first installment, and the short, six-episode season left me wanting more.

The show returns for its second season this coming Sunday, May 4, and - as host and indie icon Ira Glass says in the Showtime trailer - this time they "actually sort of semi-even know what we're doing." Once again, each episode will have a theme (this Sunday's premiere is "Escapes"), with a variety of different takes on the theme - from mini-documentaries to first-person storytelling to animated cartoons.

Some of you will be able to get a sneak preview of the second season in theaters this Thursday, but if you can't make it (or can't wait), you can see a trailer for the show's second season when you read more.

Photo courtesy of Showtime

This American Life: Coming Soon to a Big Screen Near You

BuzzSugar — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 13:30:34 -0700

I was excited last year when This American Life, my favorite radio show, came to Showtime. Seeing how the show's audio-only stories translated to a visual medium was totally fascinating.

Now, on May 1, there will be a chance to see This American Life on an even bigger screen, as it comes to theaters nationwide for one night only. The theater version will be like the show's occasional touring stage readings - but on a very large stage, indeed, one that reaches hundreds of cities simultaneously. Basically, they'll film one show and send it via satellite to select theaters, live. (Well, not live on the West Coast, because it would have to start at 5 p.m. But it's live everywhere else.)

Tickets go on sale April 4, but for now, you can check out the complete list of participating theaters. It really is a long list, considering that not all that many theaters have the capacity to broadcast a live, digital satellite feed. "Everywhere we can show it," the producers say, "we are."

Also cool: Show creator Ira Glass will take questions during the broadcast. Want one of them to be yours? Here's how.

While we're at it, there's no word yet on when the TV show's second season will premiere on Showtime, but I'll keep you updated.

Photo courtesy of Showtime

Snap Judgment: Emmy Odds and Ends

BuzzSugar — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 05:30:28 -0700

I've already told you my thoughts on the drama and comedy nominations for this year's Emmy awards. But I didn't want to neglect the many, many other categories, so I've picked out a few of the best, worst, and most bizarre:

Wow, I guess I should have watched "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee," huh? Seventeen nominations, and I've got nothing intelligent to say.
The single greatest category in this year's Emmy awards: Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics. Among the picks: "Dick in a Box" from "Saturday Night Live" and "Everything Comes Down to Poo" and "Guy Love" from the "Scrubs" musical. I hope the presentation of that award is televised, because it would be so amusing to hear an A-list celebrity read that list of nominees.
I guess "The Starter Wife"'s last-ditch attempt to sneak in before the Emmy deadline paid off. The USA miniseries racked up 10 nominations, including Debra Messing, Joe Mantegna and Judy Davis (yay!) in the acting categories.

More great stuff, so read more

How is it, exactly, that "Antiques Roadshow" got a nomination for best reality program? On the good side, though, I'm glad to see the fearsome tandem of "Project Runway" and "Top Chef" in the reality competition category.
Three cheers for the "This American Life" show! The Showtime series racked up three nominations for the "God's Close-Up" episode from its first season.
Hey, guess what? "On the Lot" got nominated for an Emmy! It's for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music, but hey, Fox can now advertise this as an Emmy-nominated show. Among the other unlikely nominees: "Kidnapped" and "Ghost Whisperer" for Original Dramatic Score, "CSI: Miami" for Outstanding Stunt Coordination, and "Meerkat Manor" for editing and cinematography.
Did you know there was an Emmy for Outstanding Hairstyling for a Series? Me neither.

Source

Great New TV on iTunes Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 16:48:24 -0700

Even though I have a video iPod, I never really got the point of watching movies or TV shows on it until recently, when I got this dock that lets me hook my iPod up directly to the TV. So now I'm trolling the iTunes store every Tuesday for new releases, and today - maybe as an early Fourth of July present - there are some great goodies. Here's what I'm contemplating downloading for this holiday weekend:

"This American Life" - The Complete First Season
I was positively giddy about this show, which take the magic of the "This American Life" radio show and adds gorgeous, movie-like visuals to its stories. If you're not sure where to start, creator Ira Glass recommends episodes two ("My Way), three ("God's Close-Up") and four ("The Cameraman").

Two more great shows, so read more

"Dexter" - The Complete First Season
The DVD of this Showtime series, which stars Michael C. Hall as a murder investigator who also happens to be a serial killer, is scheduled to be released in August, but I don't think I'll be able to wait till then to check it out. From what I've heard, it's one of the darkest, oddest, and most fascinating shows on TV today.

Not Just the Best of "The Larry Sanders Show"
Recently, I told you that this best-of collection was finally on DVD. If you haven't been able to make room on your Netflix queue or just want to buy a few favorite episodes for keeps, iTunes has you covered.

"This American Life" and "Dexter" photos courtesy of Showtime
"Larry Sanders" photo Source

Link Time! 3/29

BuzzSugar — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 15:48:11 -0700

Idolator gets its hands on two leaked Bright Eyes tracks from Cassadaga, one of which is excellent, if a little too Dylan-esque.
Best Week Ever has the frightening footage of Karl Rove rapping.
Pop Candy finds out about the soundtrack to Showtime's "This American Life."
Buddy TV writes about the rise and fall of "Punk'd."
ScreenGrab rounds up the 10 most important nude scenes of all time. (NSFW)
TVgasm gawks at Chris Sligh's lame "Idol" exit excuse.
I Guess I'm Floating posts three Magnetic Fields covers, including one from Arcade Fire.
TV Squad wonders if YouTube will save Jon Stewart's failed pilot.
Popwatch says George Clooney might have leaked those Huckabees videos.
Film Experience pays tribute to The Lookout star Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
The TV Addict chats with Krysten Ritter about "Gilmore Girls," "Veronica Mars" and "'Til Death."
Courtesy of Defamer: how Michael Bay screwed up The Transformers, told in verse.

Watch "This American Life" for Free!

BuzzSugar — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 15:23:13 -0700

No Showtime? No problem, if you want to see the first episode of the fantastic new "This American Life" TV show. Showtime has put the first episode online for free. No word on if they'll keep doing this, though the ad right below the video player encouraging people to subscribe to Showtime makes me think not.

While you're at it, check out the "What I Learned from Television" episode of the "This American Life" radio show. It's packed with goodies for TV junkies like me, but the best part comes in Act 3, just over 30 minutes in, when Ira Glass starts talking about his over-the-top love for "The OC." Also included: a performance of "California" by Mates of State. Love it!

Photo courtesy of Showtime

TV Preview: "This American Life"

BuzzSugar — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 05:00:45 -0700

Those of you who have Showtime are in luck: I'm positively giddy about "This American Life," which premieres this Thursday. I've been nervously awaiting the TV adaptation of my favorite radio show, and having seen several episodes, I can say it doesn't disappoint. The show is as funny, quirky, and moving on TV as it is on the radio - only now, it's also pretty.

In fact, "This American Life" is the prettiest thing I've seen on television, period. It's full of sweeping landscape shots, rich colors, and interesting angles. As creator and host Ira Glass has said, it doesn't look like anything else on TV, but that doesn't mean it looks like a movie, either. I suppose it's most like a series of photographs that happen to be moving. The stories themselves manage to feel just as fresh and intimate on screen, so to hear more about the show and see some clips, read more

The format sticks close to what Glass and company have been doing for more than a decade: Each half-hour show consists of a series of stories arranged around a central theme (the first episode, "Reality Check," focuses on seemingly brilliant ideas with unpleasant outcomes). Glass is present without being overbearing; he appears from time to time sitting at a desk in the middle of some random location, like salt flats or a school gym, and those of you who haven't had the pleasure of being starstruck by him in person can be assured that he's just as nerdy-hot as you'd hope. Loyal fans also will be glad to know that the show has kept its signature sign-off of attributing one random, out-of-context line to WBEZ general manager Torey Malatia.

Some of the stories have previously aired in radio format, but seeing them with visuals adds a new texture. It's one thing to hear a producer describe what happened when she saw a man get attacked by his prized cloned bull; it's another thing entirely to see the man as he's wheeled into the hospital. Both versions work, and the shift is impressively seamless. The show gives its stories time to develop, but it isn't plodding. "This American Life" pushed the boundaries of what could be done on radio; I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up changing television, too.

Here's a trailer for the show:

And here's a scene from the second episode, "My Way":

Photo courtesy of Showtime

"This American Life" to Hit TV, Theaters

BuzzSugar — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 09:42:09 -0800

I've been a huge fan of the public-radio storytelling series "This American Life" for years. I'm so obsessed with the show's personal essays and quirky fiction that I used to record the broadcasts to cassette. (Now I just download the podcast). Once when I was in college in Chicago, I even walked out of a theater next to the show's nerdy-cool host, Ira Glass, and was too starstruck to say anything.

Naturally, I'm super-excited about two pieces of "This American Life" news: First, that the long-awaited TV show based on the radio stories will debut on Showtime on March 19, according to Entertainment Weekly. And second, that Ira Glass and the others have signed a deal with DreamWorks to develop movies based on the show's stories.

Granted, last year's Unaccompanied Minors, based on the show's story about kids stranded at a Chicago airport over the holidays, wasn't exactly a hit. But I think lots of other stories could make good movies - say, maybe this one about the stolen parrot?

Any other "This American Life" fans out there? Which episodes do you think would work on film?