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What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 11:28:35 -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 the following titles, you can also check out License to Wed on DVD today, as well as the sixth season of Scrubs and, if you're so inclined, the first season of October Road.

Spider-Man 3
The third Spider-Man movie may not win tons of awards, but for those of you whose collections are not complete without all the superhero movies, Spider-Man 3 is now available on DVD. Along with the Peter Parker's shenanigans, more drama with Harry/Goblin and romantic troubles involving Mary Jane and a new lovely lady, there's the addition of Sandman and Venom to shake things up.

The DVD offers your garden variety special features like bloopers, commentaries, photo galleries and a Snow Patrol music video. If you spring for the 2-disc special edition thing, though, there's a crazy number of featurettes on the second disc, almost all of which focus on the special effects utilized in the film. You know, "making movie magic!"-type stuff.

For two more new releases, read more

Twin Peaks: The Definitive Gold Box Edition (Complete Series)
Okay, so technically you cannot Netflix this. Yet. But you can buy it online! Until now, it was almost impossible to track down all the parts of Twin Peaks, the weird, wonderful series that captivated the nation in the early '90s. By the time the second season came out this spring, the first was already out of print, and the show's original pilot was even trickier to find. But now, everything is together in one set - and better still, it's absolutely loaded with special features. I'm most excited to see the reunion conversation between David Lynch and star Kyle MacLachlan, as well as four documentaries tracing the show's evolution and MacLachlan's Twin Peaks-themed Saturday Night Live sketch.

Talk to Me
Because I love Don Cheadle and Chiwetel Ejiofor so dearly, I expected good things from this biopic - and I was not disappointed. In addition to the amazing performances and Kasi Lemmons' careful direction, the movie features some super groovy music that is worth the Netflix monthly charge alone. Cheadle plays the real-life Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene, an ex-con who takes over the radio airwaves during a time of social and political unrest, bringing humor and inspiration to the citizens of Washington D.C. in the 1960s. Check out my full review of the movie here.

In a perfect world, Cheadle and Ejiofor would receive Oscars for their performances in this film, both of which are layered and deeply impressive. I found myself pondering this movie for months after I saw it.

BuzzSugar's Must-Haves for October

BuzzSugar — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 08:30:00 -0700

Welcome to BuzzSugar's monthly must-haves, where I show off a handful of the things I'm most looking forward to watching, buying, renting and reading. With fall in the air, here are a bunch of the goodies I'm craving this month.

To find out why these seven things are at the top of my list, just read more

"My So-Called Life" - The Complete Series (w/ Book) - It's about time! One of the most important TV shows of my formative years is finally getting some proper DVD treatment. The set, which will be released on Oct. 30, includes seven commentary tracks, an interview with Claire Danes, and a book with notes on the show from Joss Whedon, Janeane Garofalo and creator Winnie Holzman, among others.
"Twin Peaks" - The Definitive Gold Box Edition (Seasons 1 & 2) - Yet another legendary series is finally getting its DVD due this month. "Twin Peaks," the show that made America ask who killed Laura Palmer and turned Kyle MacLachlan and David Lynch into household names, has only been released in small, one-season sets before now. But this Gold Box Edition, which will be released Oct. 30, includes all 29 episodes plus the original pilot, a feature-length documentary about the show, deleted scenes and even a "Twin Peaks" sketch from "Saturday Night Live."
The Gum Thief by Douglas Coupland - Douglas Coupland's novels are occasionally absurd, consistently quirky, and frequently moving. His latest book, The Gum Thief, which comes out Oct. 2, is actually two stories in one: the main story, which chronicles the relationship-in-letters between two misfits, is interwoven with chapters of one of the character's (apparently very bad) novels. Sounds just like the bizarre, bitterly funny and unendingly clever Coupland I've come to love.
The Hoax - I maintain that The Hoax is one of the greatest films I've seen in 2007. Based on the true story of writer Clifford Irving who falsely claimed to have interviewed the mysterious Howard Hughes, The Hoax is expertly directed and deftly acted (particularly by the ever-great Alfred Molina). The DVD is released October 16 so... to your Netlix queues!
Bruce Springsteen: Magic - There's something oddly comforting about Bruce Springsteen. The Boss is back with a new album, Magic, on Oct. 2, and I'm looking forward to hearing his familiar, trademark classic rock once again. Not sure if you're up for this? You can get an early listen of the album over here.
CMJ 2007 Music Marathon and Film Festival - Taking place in New York City October 16-20, the College Music Journal's Music Marathon and Film Festival boasts a huge number of musical performances, film screenings and special exhibits.
Glamour Magazine's Reel Moments - Glamour's Reel Moments series features short films written by "real women" and directed by A-list Hollywood ladies. Next up in the series we'll see films helmed by Kirsten Dunst, Kate Hudson and Rita Wilson. The ladies' films will screen on October 9 in L.A. and then will be available for viewing by pleebs like us online soon after. I can't wait to see Dunst's "ghost story" movie starring Michelle Williams.

What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 15:28:47 -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.

Volver
Penelope Cruz was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for her performance in this Spanish-language film, written and directed by her beloved Pedro Almodovar. In this ghost story/mystery, Cruz plays Raimunda, whose deceased mother's spirit returns to her town to settle some unfinished business. As was the case with Almodovar's All About My Mother, the fantastical story is driven by a group of strong-minded women with the male characters taking a far back seat.

Two more must-see DVDs, so read more

The Good Shepherd
Though admittedly on the long side, The Good Shepherd must have done something right to be nominated for Best Art Direction at this year's Oscars. Robert DeNiro ably directs this twisty and dark 1960s tale about the origins of the CIA. Matt Damon plays the morally upstanding Edward Wilson, whose world becomes increasingly shrouded in suspicion as he finds himself more and more entrenched in the Agency's secrets. Angelina Jolie costars as Edward's wife.

Twin Peaks: Season 2

If you've never seen "Twin Peaks," then get your hands on Season 1, stat. David Lynch's bizarre and addictive saga is truly one of the best-crafted series to have ever aired on TV - thanks in no small part to the brilliance of Kyle MacLachlan. But if Season 1 is a masterpiece, Season 2 is still a long-awaited gem for fans. The show hadn't quite plummeted into ridiculousness just yet, and we find out who killed Laura Palmer.

Buzz In: What Beloved Show Are You Just Not That Into?

BuzzSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:30:31 -0700

I have a friend who just can't figure out why people are so in love with Glee - she thinks the plots are too outrageous and watching the cast sing just makes her feel embarrassed for the actors. My best friend's boyfriend thinks that Mad Men is unwatchably boring. I've tried time and again to extol the virtues of both these shows on the haters, but they just will not budge.

These two shows are getting tons of press recently, and it seems like I can't go anywhere without hearing people gush about them, but as with everything, the feeling is not universal. I've always felt sort of guilty for my inability to fall in love with Twin Peaks, which has the same sort of status in many people's hearts. So I want to know - are there any totally hyped up or beloved shows that you are just not that into?

Check out more on these shows in our community like The Glee Club and Mad Men groups!

Photo courtesy of AMC and Fox