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What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 06:30:48 -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 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 read more

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.

Box Office: Cloverfield's Monster Weekend Breaks Records

BuzzSugar — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 11:30:09 -0800

January usually isn't the month to expect big things at the box office, but Cloverfield just changed all of that. JJ Abrams' monster flick was No. 1 at the box office this weekend, earning an estimated $41 million and setting an all-time January record, Variety reports. Katherine Heigl's 27 Dresses came in a respectable No. 2 earning $22.4 million - another great opening for this time of year.

On the other hand, the ladies of Mad Money didn't fare well at all over the weekend, coming in low down the list at No. 7. The Bucket List took the third slot while audiences continued to enjoy the little comedy that could, Juno, which came in No. 4.

Despite this weekend's huge numbers, we might not be done yet: Studios could gross even more today if moviegoers head to the theaters on their day off.

Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Mad Money: Mad Problems

BuzzSugar — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 11:57:52 -0800

Fortunately, I don't think I'll be ruining your weekend plans. The votes indicate that Mad Money is the new movie you least want to see. I don't blame you. From the looks of the trailer, I had mediocre expectations at best but I was secretly crossing my fingers that MM would be a guilty pleasure (a la The First Wives Club). Or that it might turn out to be an intelligent bank robbery flick like Bandits. Unfortunately Mad Money proves to be neither deliciously bad nor covertly smart. It's just bad-bad and dumb-dumb.

The first problem - and it's a big one - is that almost everybody in this film is miscast. Let's begin with Diane Keaton who plays Bridget, an upper-middle class housewife who is forced to get a job after her husband (Ted Danson) is laid off. In theory this makes sense, but the execution - as we watch Bridget search for a job that will utilize her comparative literature degree then quickly accept a janitor position when the first couple interviews don't pan out - feels forced. As does Ms. Keaton's performance. Next is Katie Holmes who does not stop dancing throughout the entire film. It's supposed to be quirky and endearing, but more than anything it's annoying. Lastly, Queen Latifah is only as good as her roles allow her to be. And sadly, obnoxious stereotypes withstanding, there isn't a lot for her to work with.

To read what else I thought about Mad Money read more.

Even if the movie had been perfectly cast, it still would have fallen victim to a weak plot. Apparently the film is based on a true story, and the only excuse for this awful plot I can imagine is that the filmmakers chose not to embellish at all. If that were the case - and it's so obviously not, since the movie is so over-the-top - a documentary would have been preferable.

The absurdity of the storyline is still not the biggest issue I have with the film. That honor goes to the worst ending ever. It is just so stupid. What the filmmakers forgot, or perhaps chose to ignore, is that people love the "a-ha" moment at the end of bank heist films. Think Ocean's Eleven. The bare bones plot is (spoiler alert): the women steal money, they get caught, then they get released from prison because there is no physical evidence. That's all she wrote!

If you're in the mood for a better female-centric movie this weekend, go see 27 Dresses instead. You'll thank me.

To see the trailer and more clips from Mad Money check out movies.ivillage.com.

Photos courtesy of Overtures Films

Which of This Weekend's New Movies Are You Most Interested to See?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 05:30:00 -0800

There are some super-hyped and well-promoted movies coming out this weekend . . . along with Mad Money. Which of these movies are you most interested in seeing?

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Movie Preview: Mad Money

BuzzSugar — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 10:33:51 -0700

Opening January 18, 2008 Mad Money finds three ladies forming an unlikely team to rob their employer. Apparently, it's based on a true story. It appears that there's the sassy lady played by Queen Latifah, Diane Keaton plays the clever older lady and Katie Holmes has the role of the quirky free spirit who dances her way, um, everywhere. Also, ~~Arthur Frobisher~~ Ted Danson is in the film. To check out the trailer for Mad Money which looks neither bad nor awesome, read more

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Buzz News Roundup, 4/16

BuzzSugar — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 14:30:00 -0700

Hawaiian singer Don Ho has died at age 72, Variety reports.
The Wall Street Journal and Cormac McCarthy are among the Pulitzer Prize winners this year, the AP reports.
The Hollywood Reporter writes that Ted Danson and Roger Cross have joined the cast of Mad Money with Katie Holmes.
"Drive" stalled in the ratings on Sunday, writes Zap2it.
Variety has the winners of the GLAAD Awards, including - ironically - "Grey's Anatomy."
According to AFP, Richard Gere is stirring up controversy after kissing an Indian actress at an event.
Regis will be back on TV April 26 following triple-bypass surgery, reports USA Today.
The Hollywood Reporter says "Lost"'s Evangeline Lilly will star opposite John Malkovich in Afterwards, a supernatural thriller.
By pleading guilty, Phish's Trey Anastasio avoids drug charges, Billboard reports.
The Los Angeles Times explains how Sahara became one of the biggest financial flops in film history.
Jewel, Tony Hawk and William Shatner are among the celebrities lined up for ABC's "Fast Cars and Superstars" car-racing series, says The Futon Critic.

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