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What to Rent: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:30:00 -0800

If a trip to the movie theater isn't in the cards for you this week, how about a new DVD release to fulfill your entertainment quota? I've got the short list of what to check out.

Zombieland

In Zombieland, Jesse Eisenberg plays a rule-abiding college guy just trying to stay alive in a post-apocalypse overrun by zombies. Oh yeah, and he's trying to get the girl, too. Woody Harrelson costars as a cowboy type who teams up with him along with Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin as a sister duo. The cast of characters is completely charming; throw in some sharp dialogue for laughs, plus one amazing cameo, and you've got a fun escape for the weekend.

Bonus features include an audio commentary, deleted scenes, and behind-the-scenes featurettes.

89%

New York, I Love You

Boasting the likes of Natalie Portman, Shia LaBeouf, and Bradley Cooper as part of its cast, New York, I Love You is a love letter to the city, letting different directors give their take on relationships on the isle of Manhattan. While the story lines don't quite live up to the all-star ensemble, I wouldn't mind getting lost in the shots of classic, romantic New York from the comfort of my couch. Plus, the touching vignette with Cloris Leachman and Eli Wallach is worth the cost of rental - and you can skip over the shorts that don't strike your fancy.

If you get the special Blu-Ray version, you can catch "These Vagabond Shoes" as part of the extras. It's the segment directed by Scarlett Johansson that never made it into the final cut of the film.

41%

For more one rental, just read more.

Amelia

Mira Nair's biopic of Amelia Earhart (led by Hilary Swank) follows the aviator leading up to her infamous around-the-world flight, while squeezing in the side story of her personal life - particularly her relationships with her husband (Richard Gere) and lover (Ewan McGregor). The film's a little blah, but consider it for Swank's spot-on performance and Nair's signature shots of gorgeous scenery.

Bonus features include deleted scenes and three featurettes.

21%

New York, I Love You: A Jigsaw Puzzle That Doesn't Quite Fit

BuzzSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:30:00 -0700

As a city with so much personality and penchant for possibility, it's no surprise that the follow-up to Paris, Je t'aime heads to New York. New York, I Love You is a tale of the connections and personal missteps that occur every single day in the city that never sleeps. It plays out like a movie version of a song mash-up: some story lines are linear and independent of the rest while other characters wander in and out of each other's lives. Throw an all-star cast in there, and you could possibly have a recipe for perfection.

Unfortunately, the ingredients don't blend together as well as I had hoped, and instead we're left with an engaging but bland look at a handful of trials and tribulations in relationships. To see what I mean, just read more.

Made up of a series of short films, New York, I Love You is an homage to the city as well as the residents who hold it near and dear to their hearts. The "anything can happen" theme is alive and well, as strangers become acquaintances and friends, putting so much emphasis on each and every interaction that we take part in on a regular basis.

You meet a few characters that represent New York well enough; Bradley Cooper is the guy who's constantly jumping into a cab the same time as someone else, Orlando Bloom is the struggling musician who turns to Central Park for inspiration, Hayden Christensen is the pick-pocket who's as sexy as he is dangerous. But sometimes it feels just a little too forced; like the film is primarily concerned with proving that New York is a melting pot. Rather than seeing a few love stories shine through stereotypes, I was more distracted by the fake accents.

As with Paris Je t'aime, some of the stories shine brighter than others. Natalie Portman directs a sweet piece about a relationship between a father and daughter; Olivia Thirlby and Anton Yelchin are refreshing as a younger pair who makes the prom a night to remember. The lighter films are breaths of fresh air amongst others that are trying too hard to be hip and stylized.

The ensemble cast certainly gives the movie a boost; even when it's not provoking the deepest of emotions, the film always had my attention. There are solid performances all-around, particularly from Chloris Leachman and Eli Wallach as an aging couple who are still bickering when they aren't helping each other cross the street. It is the most hopeful of the scenarios, and by far the sweetest and most touching.

The film provides plenty of the standard money shots of Manhattan: a typical day in Grand Central Station in fast forward, subway rides, hours of people watching in a coffee shop. The encounters feel authentic and realistic, but the failure lies in the inability to make us feel something on a deeper level. Sometimes you can relate to the characters, and sometimes you feel sorry for them, but it doesn't squeeze your heart nearly enough - and with a title like New York, I Love You, this a disappointment.

Buzz's Picks For Fall Movies: Romances

BuzzSugar — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:29:39 -0700

Fall movies are upon us, and I'm making it easier for you to sift through all the theatrical releases by giving you my Fall flick picks. I told you which comedies I'll be in the audience for, and now I'm tackling those movies with a bit more heart: the romances.
Photos courtesy of Universal Pictures, Apparition, The Weinstein Company, and IMDB

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I Think I Might Already Love New York, I Love You

BuzzSugar — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:30:24 -0700

It happened to Beth Cooper and, um, "Man," and next year it'll happen to Phillip Morris, but today the latest profession of love in a movie title is for New York. The collection of vignettes in New York, I Love You is a New York-set version of Paris, je t'aime. It's a kind of love letter, using various stories about love itself, to the city that never sleeps.

The movie features performances by a zillion different well-known actors, including (but seriously not limited to) Natalie Portman, Julie Christie, Andy Garcia, Robin Wright Penn, Chris Cooper, Rachel Bilson, Orlando Bloom, Bradley Cooper, and Shia LaBeouf. The list of directors is also impressive.

After the jump there's an endearing new trailer for the film, which opens Oct. 16 in limited release. A movie about love, in all its glory and pain, set in New York City? I already kind of love it. To watch the trailer, read more.

Movie Preview: New York, I Love You

BuzzSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 05:45:37 -0700

I really enjoyed the movie Paris, je t'aime, partially because so many of the actors in it are wonderful, but also because I like the format of it. It's a bunch of short stories, each one set in a different neighborhood of Paris. Now there's a trailer for a follow-up to Paris, je t'aime, focusing this time on the romance/craziness/magic of the Big Apple: New York, I Love You.

There are so many well-known actors in this film, it makes me wonder if the few who are not in it feel left out. Chris Cooper, Julie Christie, Natalie Portman, Orlando Bloom, Kevin Bacon, Christina Ricci, Shia LaBeouf, Rachel Bilson, Blake Lively, and so, so many more. You can see the full list here, though as a warning, reading all of it might make your eyes tired. Also just like the French anthology, the short films are directed by some recognizable names, like Mira Nair, Bret Rattner, and Scarlett Johansson.

The trailer looks pretty freaking awesome and, to go along with the famous names involved, utilizes some catchy, familiar tunes. Apparently the film won't open until Feb. 13, 2009, but to check out the trailer anyway, read more.

"New York I love you" Teaser
by Mollyryan

Big Names Sign Up to Show New York Some Love

BuzzSugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:34:11 -0700

Many a filmmaker has made New York City a muse over the years, and some have even fashioned entire careers around a kind of ode to the Big Apple - Woody Allen, for example, or the makers of Sex and the City. Now the city is getting some serious love as dozens of stars and filmmakers begin production on a film anthology called New York, I Love You (not to be confused with I Love New York, mind you).

Based on a similar project called Paris, je t'aime that's part of an emerging franchise of "love" movies, the anthology will consist of a series of film shorts that will be written, directed and performed by some of the biggest names in Hollywood. As one person associated with the project told Variety, New York, I Love You is meant to be a "a valentine to the city." As producer Marina Grasic said:

"With films like Crash and Babel, the approach to narrative has changed. . . . People are getting more sophisticated about watching content in shorter forms."

Does the idea of a bunch of short stories set in New York get your heart fluttering? I'm pretty excited to see how this unfolds myself. To learn more about who's involved with the project and other details about this film, read more

Also according to Variety, directors working on the project include Mira Nair, Brett Ratner and Alan Hughes.
The late Anthony Migehella-scripted shorts that will star Shia LaBeouf, Julie Christie and John Hurt will now be directed by Shekhar Kapur according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Both Natalie Portman and Scarlet Johansson will make their directorial debuts on this project.
Other actors associated with the project include Hayden Christensen, Rachel Bilson, Chris Cooper, Anton Yelchin, Drea de Matteo, Ethan Hawke, Orlando Bloom, Blake Lively, Robin Wright Penn, Olivia Thirlby and Kevin Bacon.
Several other cities will get some "love," including Shanghai, then a city in South America, then somewhere in Africa.

Remember Me: More Likely to Fade Away

BuzzSugar — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:45:08 -0800

Robert Pattinson fans, rest assured: you won't be disappointed with the heartthrob's first post-Twilight flick, Remember Me. Pattinson is the epicenter of the film as Tyler Hawkins, a troubled-but-charming college student with a few anger management problems. His character is a loose cannon and his New York accent is all over the place, but Pattinson is just so watchable that his loyal followers will hardly notice the flaws in the plot that surrounds him. It's everyone who's not in the Twilight bubble that I'm more concerned about.

Pattinson's angsty Tyler has plenty of reasons to brood: he's still reeling with the day-to-day aftermath of his brother's suicide, constantly questioning his own worth and mortality as his 22nd birthday draws near. He's also struggling to come to terms with a mother that he can't connect with and a high-powered lawyer father (Pierce Brosnan) who doesn't seem to understand that parenthood is about more than monetary support. Tyler channels his frustrations into smoking, drinking, and random acts of violence, and eventually lands in jail after assaulting a police sergeant (Chris Cooper).

Tyler's seemingly aimless path turns in a new direction when he hits on the sergeant's daughter, Ally (Emilie de Ravin). Under the urging of his obnoxious roommate Aidan, Tyler schemes to seduce Ally and never call her again to get back at her father. Naturally, Tyler gets a lot more than he bargained for, and - surprise! - falls for Ally instead.

To see whether Ally and Tyler have more chemistry than Edward and Bella, just read more.

The awkward courtship song-and-dance between Ally and Tyler is both entertaining and realistic. Just like Tyler, Ally has a lot of personality - she's independent and stubborn, but fragile at the same time. Unafraid to call Tyler on his issues but still supporting his rebellious decisions, they bond over family problems and personal quirks (and you know, some college puking). As their flirtation picks up steam and heads toward a real relationship, their chemistry is palpable and believable, but is quickly buried under Tyler's family issues.

Director Allen Coulter puts their romance on the back burner to shift back to Tyler's broken relationship with his father and nurturing one with his little sister, Caroline (Ruby Jerins). Tyler's connection with his precocious sister is what will pull on your heartstrings the most. As her tainted role model, he tries to give her the love and attention that their parents don't, while she lectures him on getting his life together. It's a sweetly authentic no-holds-barred relationship that even outshines Tyler's romance with Ally.

While the Hawkins family dynamic plays a huge part in the point the film is trying to make, it compromises the leg Remember Me tries to stand on as a love story. If the romance is underdeveloped, then the audience won't root for the couple as hard, which is exactly the position I found myself in.

As Tyler's story meanders into different territories, the film as a whole seems more emotionally manipulative than emotionally engaging. Instead of trying so hard to deliver a profound and poetic message about life and the consequences of death, I would have rather seen a focus on the simple yet satisfying love story. As a result, I left the theater feeling just as empty as Tyler does.

Glee Takes the Show on the Road!

BuzzSugar — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:15:48 -0800

I hope the cast of Glee isn't exhausted yet, because they're going to be working right through their Summer vacations. After months of rumblings and rumored, it's been confirmed that there will be a mini Glee live tour. From May 18-28, the kids will make stops in Phoenix, LA, and Chicago before finishing things off in New York (here's all the dates and ticketing info).

I'm sure those tickets will sell like hotcakes, but don't get your hopes up for a chance to see Sue Sylvester or Mr. Schuester live on stage - only the glee club members themselves will be on the tour. The good news is that they'll be signing all of your favorites from the show, from "Somebody to Love" to "Don't Stop Believin'" and beyond. Back in October, most of you said you'd check out a Glee tour, so are you already saving your money for tickets now that it's official?

Photo courtesy of Fox

My Guilty Pleasure: Real Housewives of New York City

BuzzSugar — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 05:30:00 -0800

I may or may not have done an in-seat happy dance when I heard that the promo for the third season of one of my favorite reality shows, Real Housewives of New York City, was here. The Manhattan-based installment of Bravo's franchise is neither the original (that's Orange County) nor the most outrageous (that's Jersey), but there's something about the cast of women - Jill, Bethenny, LuAnn, Ramona and Kelly - that has me addicted.

My addiction has forced me to keep up with the offscreen drama of the NYC ladies, and this new preview of the upcoming season is full of these revelations: LuAnn is now a divorcee on the prowl (and uh, behind the mic), Bethenny is pregnant and engaged, and some wives who shall remain nameless are just as crazypants as ever. If you're judging me for my lowbrow reality love, go ahead, but I dare you to watch this video from the coming episodes and not be entertained. To see it, just read more.

Photo and video courtesy of Bravo

Desperate Housewives Rundown, "Lovely"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:30:00 -0800

This week on Desperate Housewives, Robin settles into her new life on Wisteria Lane - and perhaps gets a bit too comfortable. Once Susan spills the beans about Robin's former life as a stripper, it isn't long before each of the housewives has their own run-in with their brand-new neighbor.

By the end of the episode we learn a little more about how biased the Wisteria Lane ladies are, and a whole lot more about what makes Robin tick. To get into it, just read more.

This isn't the first time Desperate Housewives has experimented with the vignette-like episode, but this time around I really enjoyed it and felt like each story stood well on its own.
It seemed like most of the housewives treat Robin less like a stripper and more like a prostitute, and apparently the confusion is universal. I was kind of shocked that Parker tries to pay for sex and is so desperate to lose that V-card when he's only 16-years-old. On the bright side, Tom's speech was sweet, and I especially loved hearing the story of Tom and Lynette's first date.
So after all that insisting that Ana graduate from high school, Gaby and Carlos decide to uproot her and ship her off to New York just to get her away from Danny. Seriously? I would have understood if there were another attack on Wisteria Lane or if Danny had engaged in violet behavior, but Gaby and Carlos really need to sabotage their relationship?
Bree is by far the most hilarious this week, thanks to one of the most awkward lap dances I've ever seen. After getting some advice from Robin, she decides to spice things up by dancing "proactively" to The Nutcracker (which, of course, is part of the turn-on for Orson). It all works out for the best, though, and my favorite line of the night goes to Orson: "If you're having a stroke, we'll make a great team."
Susan's good-doing comes crashing down quickly when she learns of Robin's chiropractic skills. All the over-emphasized sex noises coming from Mike's pain relief are too much for her to bear, and Robin decides to move out. It didn't make much sense for Susan to take in a complete stranger in the first place, but the way she kicked her out seemed even more bizarre.
The juiciest story of the episode goes to Katherine. What starts out as an innocent girls' bonding night gets scandalous when Robin plants a big one on Katherine. At first, it just seems like an act to put some jerks in their place, but Robin later reveals that she's a "card-carrying" lesbian. Katherine seems a bit uncomfortable initially, but at the end of the episode it's clear that she's going to weigh her options with her new roommate. Definitely not what I expected, but I'll be happy to see Katherine move on with anyone as long as she's not stalking Mike anymore.

How'd you feel about this week's episode? Would you be perturbed if a stripper moved on to your block?