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Some Holiday Spirit: Two Christmas Movies From Afar

BuzzSugar — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 13:30:38 -0800

For Christmas movies this holiday season we've got Four Christmases and Nothing Like the Holidays as new offerings here in the U.S. Elsewhere in the world there's Un conte de Noel and Navidad, S.A.

The French film Un conte de Noel (more commonly referred to as A Christmas Tale here) stars excellent actors like Catherine Deneuve and Diving Bell and the Butterfly's Mathieu Amalric, and has been generating rave reviews. Critics are likening director Arnaud Desplechin's style to that of Noah Baumbach ("if he were French and a little more hopeful about humanity"), or a combination of Ingmar Bergman and Wes Anderson. The plot description reads: "The Vuillard's shared history of physical and mental illness, estrangement, self harm, and loss doesn't lend itself to the idea of a cheerful holiday season. But can a Christmastime reunion, a scheme concocted by three of the youngest family members, finally bring peace their clan?" The trailer, which you can view after the jump, completely sealed the deal for me. Apparently A Christmas Tale is currently available from IFC on OnDemand.

Down in Mexico there's a slightly more innocent and whimsical Christmas story in Navidad, S.A. The movie had a record-breaking opening weekend in Mexico in mid-November, marking the "largest domestic release in the nation's history." The sweet-looking film's plot is as follows: "With Christmas approaching, Santa Claus has to contend with the fact that the North Pole is melting and find a way to rid the holiday of its capitalist nature."

Unfortunately, I couldn't find a trailer for Navidad, S.A. with English subtitles but the one in Spanish is so endearing even if you don't understand the words. To check out the trailers for these two new Christmas movies from afar, read more.

A Christmas Tale (France):

Navidad, S.A. (Mexico)

Source

BuzzSugar's Holiday Movie Quiz: The Answers!

BuzzSugar — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 11:05:10 -0800

Yesterday I challenged you guys to test your Christmas movie knowledge with BuzzSugar's Holiday Movie Quiz. If it turns out you're not a holiday movie buff and want to know the correct answers, read more

1. "The Preacher's Wife," starring Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington, is a remake of what film?
ANSWER: The Bishop's Wife

2. In the 2000 movie, "How The Grinch Stole Christmas," how long did it take Anthony Hopkins to complete the narration?
ANSWER: 1 day

3. Who was originally supposed to play George Bailey in "It's A Wonderful Life"?
ANSWER: Cary Grant

4. "A Christmas Story" is based on semi-autobiographical short stories, three of which were published in what magazine?
ANSWER: Playboy

5. Who plays Ebenezer Scrooge in "The Muppet Christmas Carol"?
ANSWER: Michael Caine

How Sick of Holiday TV Specials and Movies Are You?

BuzzSugar — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 04:05:17 -0800

Source

Now that the Big Day is over, are you so done with shows and movies having to do with Christmas? Or are you still hungry for more holiday ham?

What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:30:00 -0700

It's Tuesday, which means new DVDs hit shelves to fatten up your entertainment library! Trying to decide which to add to your Netflix queue? Check out these three releases.

Orphan

All right, so it's not the best horror film ever - for that, take a peek at my scary movie bracket - but who doesn't love a good spook just in time for Halloween? In Orphan, Vera Farmiga and Peter Sarsgaard star as parents who adopt a destructive little girl with a huge secret. The movie borders on ridiculous, but if you like to laugh during your fright flicks, it's got a bit of dark humor and over-the-top slasher scenes. Bonus features include deleted scenes and an alternate ending - which should be good for keeping things fresh, seeing as how the big twist has already been spoiled by pretty much anyone who's seen it.

55%

See two more new releases when you read more.

Nothing Like the Holidays

If you're feeling anti-Orphan, then perhaps a Christmas-themed ensemble film is more your speed. Nothing Like the Holidays follows a large, boisterous Puerto Rican-American family as they gather at their parents' home, and the obligatory love-hate relationships ensue. The storyline is a little stale, so I wasn't a fan when the movie first came out - but it may be a solid rental to get into the pre-holiday spirit and for the actors. (Alfred Molina and Freddy Rodriguez are particularly good as father and son.) There's also a bonus blooper real.

49%

Whatever Works

Curb Your Enthusiasm's Larry David stars in Woody Allen's story of a crabby New Yorker who takes in a young Southern runaway named Melodie (Evan Rachel Wood). Putting aside the somewhat unsettling older man and much younger woman relationship, the real joy to be had is from the bit character parts. Patricia Clarkson and Ed Begley Jr. turn in hilarious performances as Melodie's parents, and dreamy Henry Cavill of The Tudors plays a love interest. If you can get beyond David doing his tiring, whiny Allen schtick, they make the film worth checking out.

48%

Rewind: This Week's Buzz

BuzzSugar — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0800

In case you haven't heard, a little movie called New Moon came out this week. I showed you where you can find them next, and I gave you my review of the movie, quizzed you on the book, as well as an exclusive interview with Kellan Lutz and Ashley Greene.
Robert Pattinson continues to make non-Twilight waves at the movies: the trailer for his drama Remember Me debuted, and news that Uma Thurman has been cast as his love interest in Bel Ami surfaced.
This week was a trailer treasure trove: there was Nicholas Sparks adaptation and Miley Cyrus vehicle The Last Song, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Jeff Bridge's surefire Oscar bait Crazy Heart, and Edward Norton taking on a dual role in Leaves of Grass.
At least you'll save on tissues: Oprah announced that her talk show will go off the air in 2011.
I interviewed some of the funniest men in prime time: Eric Stonestreet gave me the scoop on Modern Family, while Joel McHale and Ken Jeong bantered about Community.
The reality TV winners were crowned! Irina ruled Project Runway, and Nicole is America's Next Top Model.
The holidays are here! I gave you a sneak peek of holiday episodes as well as more gift guide suggestions.
The BuzzSugar Community is the place to be to chat about everything pop culture, and as an extra incentive, you could see your community posts on the Buzz home page, like polkadot38's awesome Stefan Vs. Damon poll.

Photos courtesy of Summit Entertainment

Rewind: This Week's Buzz

BuzzSugar — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0800

Vampires, vampires, everywhere! The stars of New Moon got candid for EW, and there's even a romantic comedy about female bloodsuckers in the works.
Need help keeping all your vampires straight? Check out my slideshow where I break down the classic myths in Twilight, True Blood, and The Vampire Diaries.
New Moon's not the only movie to get excited about - check out these new trailers for Kick-Ass and Date Night.
James Franco's appearance on General Hospital is just a few days away - check out this sneak peek of his guest spot.
We said goodbye to another amazing season of Mad Men. What'd you think of the finale?
Out with the old in with the new: meet the next class of med students on Scrubs.
The holiday season is inching steadily closer. Check out my gift guides for kids, teenage boys and teen girls if you need some help with your shopping list.
Have you checked out the Buzz Community yet? Your content could be featured on BuzzSugar so get the creative juices flowin'!
The votes are in! Check out who snagged nominations for the 2010 People's Choice Awards.
Heading to the theaters to see 2012 this weekend? First, test your John Cusack movie knowledge!

Buzz Gift Guide: Kid-Friendly Knickknacks

BuzzSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:30:27 -0800

I've been rolling out my gift ideas for the upcoming holiday season, but let's face it: this time of year is all about the kids. I've got a few pretty amazing young'uns in my life (don't we all) and they're really the most fun to shop for.

I'm all about the hands-on creative stuff, which is why I included an awesome Indiana Jones LEGO set and a Project Runway-themed kit for kids to decorate their own clothes. But at the end of the day, who doesn't enjoy a little snuggle time with a good children's book or Pixar movie?

If you still need more inspiration, check out all of the gift guides across the Sugar sites - we've got something for everyone!

Buzz Gift Guide: Your Teenage Bro

BuzzSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:30:00 -0800

I'm making my way through suggestions for gifts that your loved ones would be thrilled to receive this holiday season, and now I'm tackling the demographic that sometimes seems impossible to buy for: teens.

Luckily, it's been a rich year for movies, music, and TV, so once you've bought all your presents for the teen girl in your life, you can move onto the species known as teenage boy. Get your gifting started with this Wild Things Tee and nod to this year's hip hit.

Link Time! Omarosa Is Searching For a Husband

BuzzSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:30:30 -0800

Omarosa is looking for love with a new reality TV show. But the biggest surprise? The Donald is helping her - Defamer

An Inglourious Basterds prequel is brewing - Marc Malkin

Uh-oh, Mad Men fans. For those romantics hoping for a Don and Betty reconciliation, chances sound grim - Daily Beast

Cobra Starship's new video is a "Hot Mess" - HitFix

Cute Reunion actor Sean Faris is joining The Vampire Diaries - Ausiello Files

Who's your favorite female author? - TresSugar

Holiday movie preview! - Moviefone

Death Cab For Cutie performs "Meet Me at the Equinox" at a Hot Topic store. Teen girls' minds explode. - Stereogum

Twitter phenom Sh*t My Dad Says is being made into a TV show - TV Squad

New York Magazine's 40 songs that define the Brooklyn sound right now - New York Magazine

Box Office: Audiences Get in the Spirit With A Christmas Carol

BuzzSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:30:00 -0800

Disney received an early present this year: The revamped version of the classic tale A Christmas Carol took the top spot at the box office in its opening weekend with $31 million. While that figure is on the low end of studio estimates for the film, insiders hope that it will continue to gain more movie-goers as we near the holidays. Following behind at No. 2 was last weekend's box office champ, Michael Jackson's This Is It, with $14 million.

Rounding out the rest of the top five were two more new releases - The Men Who Stare at Goats came in third with $13.3 million, and Milla Jovovich's The Fourth Kind took fourth place with $12.5 million. Fan favorite Paranormal Activity slipped to No. 5 with $8.6 million.

The small success story of the weekend was Precious, which raked in $1.8 million despite only opening in 18 theaters. Expect to see it climb up the box office chart next week as it expands into more cities.