BuzzSugar

What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 06:30:48 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 the titles below you can now rent the Diane Lane thriller Untraceable, Francis Ford Coppola's Youth Without Youth, and Mad Money.

The Great Debaters
The Great Debaters stars Denzel Washington (who also directs), Forest Whitaker and newcomer Nate Parker in a movie that is maybe formulaic but also poignant and powerfully acted. As I pointed out in my review, the film borrows the the same elements of storytelling you find in underdog sports movies and inspirational teacher movies. However the film, based on a true story, is no less inspiring thanks to some moving performances.

The movie takes place in Texas circa 1935 when schools were segregated and economic times were hard all around. A group of young black college students work to become a debate team worthy of challenging Harvard. Washington plays the hard-driving debate team coach who encourages his students to succeed. You've definitely seen this all before in one form or another, but it's a great family rental with an inspirational message. The movie was honored earlier this year with an NAACP Award to boot.

Special features include deleted scenes and featurettes titled, "The Great Debaters: An Historical Perspective," and "Learning the Art: Our Young Actors Go to Debate Camp."

One more release to go so

Autism: The Musical
I have been curious about this documentary ever since it showed at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival and I'm so glad it's out on DVD now, as I missed its airing on HBO a couple of months ago. The film has earned high praise and was even one of the Academy's 15 documentaries considered for an Oscar nod.

As Netflix puts it, the documentary follows "five autistic children as they develop and rehearse The Miracle Project, an original musical about autism." Between this flick and The Great Debaters I'd say you've got yourself a great family movie night here.

Special features include deleted scenes, a featurette called, "About Autism Speaks" and a filmmaker biography.

Link Time! 5/8

BuzzSugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 13:33:14 PDT

Popwatch has the recent EW cover featuring Josh Brolin and Elizabeth Banks as George W. Bush and Laura Bush for the Oliver Stone movie.
Stereogum has the initial lineup for the 2008 Siren Festival.
At The TV Addict, you can watch a video of Zach Braff introducing tonight's Scrubs episode.
Cinematical has a clip from the latest movie from Francis Coppola, Youth Without Youth, out on DVD next week.
BestWeekEver has the top 10 words that only appear in gossip magazines, including "beau," "tipster" and "canoodling."
TV with MeeVee wonders if Smallville will be less super next season since everyone seems to be leaving.
Vulture just saw Flight of the Conchords live, and yes, it was awesome.
The Underwire chats with Isabella Rossellini about her absurd yet fascinating Green Porno series.

Tom Cruise to Grace the Big Screen Again

BuzzSugar — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 13:18:18 PDT

Well, Tom Cruise is asking us to take him seriously again, by agreeing to star in a World War II thriller that he is also producing. It's going to be tough, especially with the grave subject matter, to watch this crazy egomaniac without rolling my eyes. But I have faith in director Bryan Singer, responsible for the excellent film The Usual Suspects and executive producer of Fox's "House." According to Variety:

The thriller is based on actual events, as German generals hatch a scheme to assassinate Adolph Hitler at the height of WWII. In subsequent meetings, Singer asked Cruise if he wanted to play a central role and he agreed Tuesday.

Cruise's UA partner Paula Wagner said, "I cannot think of a more perfect combination of creative elements for our second production."

Hmm... I can! Namely, a combination of "elements" that doesn't include Tom Cruise, perhaps. I wish I could get excited about this, since the director and script sound solid, but instead there's a grim feeling of dread creeping through my insides - and not in the thriller movie kind of way. What do you think of this news? Tom also has some other production projects underway, so

The Cruise and Wagner-led United Artists may also be set to acquire to rights to Youth Without Youth, Francis Ford Coppola's first movie in a decade. According to Variety:

Coppola adapted, produced and directed "Youth Without Youth" from the 1976 novel by Romanian-born religious historian Mircea Eliade. Coppola screened the film on Feb. 22 for friends in the Bay Area, including Carroll Ballard and George Lucas.

As much as Cruise gives me the creeps, he and Wagner seem to be snapping up some pretty cool projects, and at least Tom won't be starring in this one.

Source

Check Out the Top Contenders For Best Cookbook of the Year

Susannah Chen — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 13:30:54 PST

Thousands of cookbooks were published in the last year, but which ones are really worth buying? The International Association of Culinary Professionals, or IACP, tackled the question as it announced its cookbook award finalists for 2012 today.

Among them: plenty of cookbooks from top restaurant chefs, like Jean-Georges Vongerichten, John Besh, and Andrew Carmellini, as well as new books from reputed publications such as Fine Cooking and Cook's Illustrated.

Cookbook winners will be announced on April 2 in an award ceremony hosted by Mo Rocca, where the honor of best cookbook of 2012 will also be announced. To see the entire list of award winners, keep reading.

Runway to Reality: Spring's Sporty-Chic Trend Under $150

Brittney Stephens — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:16:36 PST

From Isabel Marant's cool, colorful layers to Alexander Wang's perennial sporty-girl swagger, the runways were rife with easy, athletic pieces in hyperchromatic hues - playing the perfect juxtaposition for Spring's otherwise sweet, feminine fare. Fluid racerback tanks and bikini tops were paired under flouro mesh tees at Rag & Bone, and there was no shortage of slick, skintight knits on Wang's runway. It's a youthful, confident look that doesn't skimp on the sex appeal - and luckily, you can achieve the sporty-chic trend for Spring without breaking the bank or a sweat. Click through the widget below to shop our under-$150 picks now.

Look of the Day: Coco Chanel Inspired Tweed

FabSugar — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 03:30:12 PST

Fab reader Sidney Salim takes a fresh and youthful approach to styling her pink H&M tweed jacket, inspired by the classic Chanel look. Paired with a dainty, tie-front blouse tucked into high-rise shorts, the combination gives the jacket a playful edge. To stay warm for Winter weather (without looking bulky), she doubled up on sheer black tights under black knee-high stockings. Pointed-toe stilettos and a gold-chain shoulder bag complete the sassy yet sweet tweed ensemble.

Congrats to Sidney Salim!

Everyone else, submit your looks, and we might just feature you on FabSugar!

Kristin Chenoweth on That Amazing Smile, Her Skin Care Secrets, and More

Miriam Lacey — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 04:01:27 PST

Kristin Chenoweth is more than just a triple threat: the lady is a dynamo. She swings from Broadway to television to album-making without missing a beat, and she always looks amazing. Kristin recently became Listerine's newest spokes-smile, so we talked to her about her famous pearly whites, how she keeps her skin looking so great, and what products from the film set she uses at home. To see what she had to say, just keep reading.

8 Bad Habits to Kick in Your 20s

LearnVest — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:15:02 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

We remember those days long ago - or not so long ago - when we thought the only thing standing between us and a great night out was a fake I.D., and the days when every hurt could be soothed with a new pair of shoes.

Until now, we’d always chalked those notions up to our own youthful silliness, but it turns out we weren’t alone: According to a recent study, 20-year-olds actually think that having debt is cool.

“The more credit card and college loan debt held by young adults aged 18 to 27, the higher their self-esteem,” the researchers concluded. Only that effect didn’t last long: By the time participants in the study reached age 28, their feelings of mastery and empowerment had corroded into stress over the money they owed.

Surely celebrating your debt isn’t the only habit worth kicking by the time you near 30. So, we asked you, what other habits that seemed cool, empowering and fun at 20 did you drop like a hot potato a few years later?

Your answers, which ranged from money choices to lifestyle mistakes, were hilarious, insightful . . . and a testament to the power of experience. Read on.

Fake Baking

If You're Doing This: Don’t waste your hard-earned money on cancer-causing tanning beds, which can come back to bite you later in health care bills-or worse. Tan safely (here’s some advice on sunless tanning), or, better yet, emulate Anne Hathaway, who makes pale skin look chic.

Read on for more bad habits.

Battle of the Adorable Teenage Outfits: Elle vs. Hailee in Chanel

Noria Morales — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:30:33 PDT

Honestly, we're not sure how we feel about kids under 18 sporting Chanel, but Hailee Steinfeld and Elle Fanning showed there's a way to wear it without compromising their fun-loving youthfulness. Elle went for a black and white look, accessorizing with a super cool clear clutch and a pretty bow ring, while Hailee chose a short gray dress and accessorized with the cutest silver-tipped booties we've seen. The accessories really make their outfits feel fun and age-appropriate. Whose look do you like better?

IACP Announces Cookbook Award Winners

Katie Sweeney — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 09:36:52 PDT

The International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) are currently gathered in Austin, TX, for their annual weeklong conference. Last night, Dave Arnold, the director of technology for The French Culinary Institute and Chris Young, the co-author of Modernist Cuisine, hosted the 2011 Cookbook Awards Gala.

Among the winners? The New York Times and Food52's Amanda Hesser and French cooking pioneer Dorie Greenspan. Interested in checking out the entire list of winners? Read more.