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The Queen's Corgis Sweep Fidos!

PetSugar — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 12:00:56 PDT

Winning both the "Historical Hound" and "Best in World" awards, the Corgi stars of The Queen represented in royal fashion at The Fidos. Four of the five pooches – Anna, Poppy, Megan, Alice, and Oliver – who played the part(s) were present on the red carpet in England at yesterday's event, and are pictured above with Oscar winner, Helen Mirren. The other winners included pups from Year of the Dog ("Comedy Canine"), Shooter ("Blockbuster Bowser"), and short film, Dog Flap ("Cupcake Cinema").

These awards were produced by Toby Rose, also the producer of the prestigious Palm Dog award at the Cannes Film Festival. This event is the world's first international award ceremony exclusively for canine stars of the big screen, and marks the first time dogs have been allowed on the red carpet and into the National Film Theatre building in Southbank. Congratulations!

What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 07:30:00 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.

"Heroes" - Season 1
The first season of NBC's hit sci-fi drama "Heroes" is now available on DVD and it's extras-tacular. The show follows "ordinary" people who happen to have extraordinary powers (invisibility, regeneration, flight, mind reading, time travel, etc.). The 7-disc set features a good number of extras, including (but not limited to): audio commentaries, the 73-minute unaired original pilot episode (along with the option of commentary by Tim Kring), deleted scenes and a whole bunch of behind-the-scenes stuff, like a stunt featurette and a profile on artist Tim Sale. On the HD-DVD you can expect more interactive features, like something called a "genetic abilities test." If you missed this season when it was on TV (and then online), you can catch up with the DVDs before the second season begins September 24.

Three more new releases so

read more "Friday Night Lights" - Season 1 If you're not hooked on "Friday Night Lights" by the time you're through with this five-disc DVD set, you can get your money back - no joke. The set isn't nearly as loaded with special features as the "Heroes" collection, but it still includes deleted scenes from each of the season's 22 episodes as well as a "making of" featurette. I wish the special features weren't so skimpy, but I'm sure that's what's letting NBC offer the set so cheap ($19.99 most places). And besides, who needs extras when you've got some of the best writing and acting on television to occupy your time?
Year of the Dog Molly Shannon stars in this quirky, dark indie comedy all about love, loss - and pets. Shannon plays Peggy, whose world revolves around her dog, Pencil. When he suddenly passes away, Peggy feels lost at sea and needs to find something else to consume her attention. The people in her life all have different views on how she should distract herself. Her bubbly girlfriend Layla (Regina King) pushes Peggy to start dating, while cute veterinary assistant Newt (Peter Sarsgaard) urges her to adopt a new dog. Ultimately, though, Peggy has to find her own path. Year of the Dog is extremely endearing, with Shannon turning in a surprisingly touching performance. Special features include a gag reel, a making-of featurette and some interesting interviews with Molly Shannon and writer/director Mike White. Check out my review for more of my thoughts on this movie. Blades of Glory This may not be a work of genius, exactly, but it's definitely worth a rent if you want a chuckle. Plus, it stars some of my favorite funny ladies: Amy Poehler and Jenna Fischer. Will Farrell plays Chazz, a male figure skater who has a falling out with his rival Jimmy, played by Napoleon Dynamite's Jon Heder. As a result, the two are banned from competing in the singles' category, so they join forces to compete as a figure-skating pair. For my take on this movie, check out my review.

Year of the Dog: Sweet as a Trusty Old Companion

BuzzSugar — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 05:00:46 PDT

There is a comfort in having an obsession, in committing oneself entirely to something. And for every obsession, there are niche communities where that obsession is shared - and at least a few people who will deem it silly. The idea that everyone needs at least one thing to pour herself into is the theme of Year of the Dog, a cute movie with plenty of heart and poignant truthfulness.

Molly Shannon plays Peggy, a secretary whose life consists mainly of caring for her dog Pencil, so when Pencil suddenly meets his mysterious demise, Peggy's life starts to unravel. She grieves helplessly, unsure of how to fill her time. Her next-door neighbor Al (John C. Reilly) takes Peggy out on a date, though Peggy is soon repelled by his fondness for hunting. Peggy's girlish friend Layla (Regina King) thinks Peggy should be as obsessed with romance and marriage as she is and pushes Peggy to keep dating. Layla's not the only one with ideas about how to distract Peggy from her loss, though, so

When veterinary assistant Newt (Peter Sarsgaard) pairs Peggy up with an abused dog, Peggy delightedly gains both a new dog and a new friend/love interest. After spending time with Newt, Peggy turns vegan and begins campaigning for animal rights. Her wish to save all animals everywhere, however, spins out of control, until she finds herself taking her young niece and nephew to a chicken slaughterhouse. Her new obsessions become all-consuming, and she must learn how to pursue her passions without losing herself completely.

Like Will Ferrell, Molly Shannon seems to understand that if she is as honest as possible, the humor and the pathos will follow, making her performance excellent almost because it's so ordinary. Everyone else does their respective things: John C. Reilly is bumbling and unaware, Sarsgaard's sleepy eyes say all he needs to say, and Regina King infuses each of her scenes with a glassy brightness. Laura Dern is perhaps most noteworthy - and funniest - as Peggy's sister-in-law, so fearful for her kids' safety that overprotecting them is her own obsession.

The movie has a comforting this-is-real-life feel to it, reminiscent of director Mike White's other successful film, The Good Girl, though thankfully Year of the Dog is far less depressing in the end. It won't knock your socks off, but sometimes, you just want to wear your fuzzy old slippers anyway.

Photos courtesy of Paramount Vantage

Movie Preview: Year of the Dog

BuzzSugar — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 07:28:01 PDT

It's hard to look at Molly Shannon without thinking of her Catholic schoolgirl character, Mary Katherine Gallagher, from "SNL" and Superstar. But with her latest project, Year of the Dog, she's looking to change all that. Shannon plays Peggy, whose world revolves around her dog, Pencil. When he suddenly passes away, Peggy feels lost at sea and needs to find something else to consume her attention. The people in her life all have different views on how she should distract herself. Her bubbly girlfriend Layla (Regina King) pushes Peggy to start dating, while cute veterinary assistant Newt (Peter Sarsgaard) urges her to adopt a new dog. Ultimately, though, Peggy has to find her own path.

First of all, Pencil is a hilarious name for a dog. Secondly, the movie's website is unusually cute and fun. Finally, the trailer is adorable, and the film looks like a strange, sweet indie flick. Watch for my review later this week when the movie comes out in limited release, and you can check out the trailer if you

Behind the Scenes at Sundance: Portrait Gallery

BuzzSugar — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 06:00:58 PST

One of my favorite things about the Sundance Film Festival is the portrait studio. Between schmoozing and talking up their movies, the casts of each film pose for a series of casual yet artful shots that are inexplicably fun to look at. Maybe there's just something about seeing people like Sienna Miller and Steve Buscemi, who star together in Interview, mugging like they're old friends.

I've collected my favorite pics so far from the festival films, including Smiley Face starring Anna Faris, Mandy Moore's Dedication, The Nines starring Elle Fanning and Ryan Reynolds, Year of the Dog with Molly Shannon and Peter Sarsgaard, John Cusack in Grace is Gone, Waitress with Keri Russell, and the awesome young cast of The Good Life (pictured above). To see the rest of the portraits,

View 36 Photos ›

Source

Trailblazers: First-Time Westminster Best in Show Winners

Sara Yoo — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:00:00 PST

Last year's Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show winner Hickory was the first of his breed, the Scottish deerhound, to win the coveted best in show prize. He's among quite a number of first-timers in the show's 105-year history who will (hopefully!) pave the way for more of their kind. We think that every breed deserves a prize for being cute and unique and we envy the group of judges who ultimately must select the one winner! Who do you think will be top dog in next week's 2012 Westminster?

Can You ID These Past Westminster Winners?

PetSugar — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:00:00 PST

One week from tomorrow, one pooch will be crowned best in show at the 136th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Can you remember the top dogs from the last nine years? Look at these furry faces and brush up!

Question 1 of 9

In 2008, best in show was awarded to the big beagle named:

Can You Cash in on Facebook's $5 Billion IPO?

Emily Co — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:15:10 PST

Everyone's buzzing about the Facebook IPO, and after hearing about how many billionaires and millionaires the IPO will create, you might think that it's your chance to make money off this cash cow. But first, you need to educate yourself.

What's the deal about IPOs?

Facebook used to be a private company, which means its shares were not sold to the public. Once a firm goes public, it's on the stock market and it sells a part of itself to outside investors who can afford it. The term for going public is also known as an IPO or initial public offering.

Why would a company go public?

A company that sells shares to outside investors can stand to raise a lot of money. Current estimates of the Facebook IPO are at $5 billion. Companies can do a lot with the capital raised - they can use it to pay down long-term obligations, fund new opportunities, and even acquire competitors. Further, initial private investors who wish to exit can now sell their shares to public investors.

Read to find out about buying Facebook shares.

Jennifer Garner Takes to Blogging to Support Underprivileged Children

Allie Merriam — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:44:48 PST

Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck went their separate ways in LA yesterday afternoon. He was out near their Brentwood home taking care of the family dog, while Jennifer covered her baby bump and headed off to grocery shop at a nearby store. The couple are gearing up for the arrival of their third child, but Jen's been getting active on behalf of one of her favorite organizations, Save the Children.

Jennifer Garner wrote about childhood poverty in a new blog post for the charity. Jen wrote, "Children in this country start kindergarten when they are five or six years old. My daughters donʼt really understand this yet, but they've already won. Here is why: kids growing up in poverty have heard, by the time they turn four, 30 million fewer words than my kids. They are developmentally 18 months behind their middle class counterparts." She and fellow Save the Children ambassador Julianne Moore are urging fans to buy Save the Children's Valentine's Day cards, and the proceeds of the sale will benefit their efforts to eradicate childhood poverty in the US.

Gisele Emails Friends and Family to Ask For Super Bowl Support

Allie Merriam — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:59:36 PST

Gisele Bundchen writes, "I feel Tommy really needs our prayer, our support and love at this time" - Lifeline Live
Olivia Wilde shares about the upsides of getting divorced at a young age - People
Tom Cruise is heading to the Oscars after a five-year absence! - Lainey Gossip
Michelle Williams will take road trip with Matilda in an RV - HuffPost Celebrity
Christina Hendricks shares her secrets to being sexy - TooFab
Details on Prince Harry's upcoming tour of South America! - Us Weekly
In honor of Kate and William's new dog, see all the royal pups! - The Daily Beast
Could Madonna's movie score big box office money? - Rotten Tomatoes
Why does Emma Watson think her style is boring? - Wonderwall
The real Sarah O'Brien shares Downton Abbey scoop - Zap2It
Reese Witherspoon doesn't think she's ready for surgery - yet - Celebitchy