BuzzSugar

Movie Preview: Michelle Monaghan, Nathan Fillion in Trucker

BuzzSugar — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 05:30:00 -0700

When I saw Trucker at the Tribeca Film Festival back in 2008, I acknowledged that it's not the world's finest movie, but it was definitely one of my favorites of all the festival movies I saw. It's a relatively quiet indie drama starring Michelle Monaghan as Diane Ford, a tough truck driver who enjoys her carefree life of trucking, bars and one-night stands - until her 11-year-old son shows up one day. Their relationship is rocky, and Diane is none too pleased to suddenly shoulder so much responsibility, but as long as her ex-husband (Benjamin Bratt) is hospitalized, mother and son are stuck with each other. Nathan Fillion plays her sweet, handsome neighbor and friend who is married but clearly has feelings for Diane.

The film will open Oct. 9. If you like these actors and feel like a sometimes slow and harsh but ultimately warm-hearted drama, you'll likely find Trucker worthwhile. To check out the trailer, read more.

Tribeca Review: Trucker

BuzzSugar — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:30:33 -0700

Trucker largely reminded me of another indie movie titled Come Early Morning, which was written and directed by Chasing Amy's Joey Lauren Adams (who, incidentally, also stars in Trucker). The tone of both movies features a kind of weary, weathered fondness for the southern American landscape (in Come Early Morning it's the South, in Trucker it's the dusty deserts of southern California). At the heart of both movies, too, are hard-edged, tough-talking women in jobs that others in the movie ridicule for not being "women's jobs": Ashley Judd's character in Early Morning worked in construction, while the main character of Diane in Trucker, played by Michelle Monaghan, is a truck driver.

On the surface these two films might blur together in my mind as one unrecognizable narrative of the rough-around-the-edges woman learning to soften and accept love as well as give it. Trucker stands out a bit, though, as a more interesting story, more layered with higher stakes. And while it's not the most memorable movie in general, it's captivating enough and ultimately sends a heartwarming message. To see what I mean, read more.

The movie opens with a scene not suitable for watching with, say, your parents: Diane is seen having a one-hour stand with a young man (played by Joey Lawrence's brother, Matthew!) she picked up for the night. From here, it's established that she lives a loner's life on the road, driving trucks and picking up random men. But she always goes back to her California home where her neighbor Runner (Nathan Fillion) lives to hang out with Diane and pine after her - despite the fact that he's married. Soon drama comes in the form of Diane's young son Peter (Jimmy Bennet) who she abandoned, along with Peter's father (Benjamin Bratt) many years ago. Diane learns that Peter needs stay with her because his father has cancer, and there's a chance that Peter will need to move in with Diane permanently.

The relationship between mother and son is often uncomfortably contentious, with Monaghan's intense Diane walking around like a stick of dynamite about to blow up. Yet, we start to understand Diane's reasoning: she's just not the type of woman who wants to be a steady mom. She wants to be always moving, on the road, and the kid cramps her style. Thus, when the moments that include any inkling of tenderness between Diane and Peter do come along, they are hard-earned. Nathan Fillion is extremely handsome in the movie, though his role confounded me, as it was never explored why he spent all his time with Diane while his wife sat at home right next door. Unexamined and unexplained things like this make the movie frustrating, though by the time the sweet ending comes around, you might just forgive it.

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Tribeca Preview: Trucker

BuzzSugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:30:10 -0700

This one looks like a heartwarming tale of family and redemption and . . . aw, who am I kidding? Nathan Fillion's in it, of course I'm going to see this movie. In Trucker, Michelle Monaghan plays Diane Ford, "a hard-nosed truck driver who leads a carefree life of all-night bar benders and one-night stands until her estranged 11-year-old son shows up at her door one evening." Their relationship is rocky and contentious, but as long as Diane's ex-husband (Benjamin Bratt) is hospitalized, mother and son are stuck with each other. However, with the help of "a handsome and doting neighbor" (Nathan Fillion), Diane starts to learn that being a responsible mother might not be the worst thing ever.

This is one of the first movies I'll catch at Tribeca and I'd say a little Fillion will start things off right, wouldn't you?

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Celeb Style: Michelle Monaghan

FabSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:15:22 -0700

Michelle Monaghan is a pro at creating simple, yet stunning, outfits. The actress attended the premiere of The Trucker in NYC over the weekend looking subtly shimmery in a monochromatic ensemble. Her sleek, ivory Calvin Klein silk blazer tempers her metallic crinkled dress, and I love how her gray cutout pumps inject an architectural appeal.

Signature Stretch Sateen Collection: Fitted Blazer - $69.00	Nicole Miller silver lurex ruched detail sleeveless dress - $165.00
Barbara Bui - $840.00	Katherine Fleming Jane Python Clutch - Grey - $1,300.00
Purple Stone Ring - $6.00	Crystal Stud Earrings - $40.00

Check out CelebStyle for lots more celebrity street style!

Picture It: Truckers Unite to Put Brakes on Runaway Fuel Costs

CitizenSugar — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:00:39 -0700

Photo of the Day: With diesel prices hitting $4 per gallon, a big group of road warriors assembled this weekend in Pennsylvania. In addition to the fuel costs, the plan to privatize the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which will affect the tolls on I-80, heavily influences big rigs traveling across the country. One of the group's spokesmen said, “Every freight that travels across Interstate 80 is paying $100 more.”

The rally of truckers turned out to organize a convoy to drive I-81 on March 31 to raise awareness of the effect that diesel prices have on us all. The eventual goal is a convoy to Washington, DC.

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DSquared's Camp Chic: Love It or Hate It?

FabSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:00:22 -0700

DSquared always amuses. Their hodgepodge style draws inspiration from some of the most random places. For Spring, the twin bros were inspired by the great outdoors. Camping, to be specific. Last season it was the paparazzi prone PYTs of Hollywood, and I loved the layering and cheeky accessories. There are fashion-loving girls who don't mind the dirt and insects that come with tough terrain, but when did trucker hats get cute again? Adversely, the plaids, cat-eye specs, Band-Aids, glittering bracelets, and bottles, are fabulous touches. The splattered purple dress is rugged chic at its best. Are you feeling it?

Beer Hats: Kid Friendly or Are You Kidding?

LilSugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:00:01 -0700

We are raising a nation of mini mes. Children accompany their parents to bars and some moms and dads don't mind if their tots take a swig or two from a beer. But, what about alcoholic apparel - would you put a Budweiser cap on your baby?

When Victoria Beckham and her six-year-old cutie, Romeo, were spotted at LAX recently, the boy carried a teddy bear and sported a trucker hat that had a patch for the "Beer Appreciation Society DOM NYC." on it. What's your opinion of the accessory?

Front Page: Bush Goes to Europe, Spanish Truckers Strike, Quake Lake Still Rising

CitizenSugar — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 06:58:08 -0700

Bush Goes to Europe: President Bush has just departed for a farewell trip to Europe's major capitals, taking news of both concern for and confidence in the US economy. His first stop is Slovenia for his final US-European Union Summit. He will also visit Germany, Italy, France, England and Northern Ireland. Expressing concern about the economy and soaring energy prices (which hit $4 a gallon over the weekend and could go higher) Bush said in a departure statement that a strong dollar is in the US interest and the interest of the global economy.

Spainish Truckers Strike: While Europe waits for Bush, tens of thousands of Spanish truckers have begun an indefinite strike over the soaring price of diesel, which has risen by 20 percent this year. They stopped work at midnight and began disrupting traffic at one of the border crossings between Spain and France. The protesters prevented other trucks from passing, and shut down car traffic. Most of the 90,000 truckers participating have warned that many supermarkets will run out of goods within days. The head of the transportation association said, "we are the ones who move the goods that this country needs to keep working. If we stop because we haven't got the money to buy fuel then the country will stop."
Quake Lake Still Rising: The water level in an earthquake-formed lake in China is still rising, despite efforts to drain it. Early this morning, the water level was more than 6 feet higher than the man-made channel created to solve the problem. Experts say the lake could burst at any time, flooding the homes of more than one million people. A quarter of a million people have already been evacuated from the area since the earthquake that caused the quake lake to form. Government estimates now put the quake death toll at 69,136 with another 17,686 people missing.

'Wich of the Week: Pittsburgh's All-in-One Sandwiches

YumSugar — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:00:35 -0800

I've never been to Pittsburgh, home of the Super Bowl champion Steelers. But I have been to Giordano Brothers, the West Coast version of Pittsburgh's famous Primanti Brothers sandwich chain. Founded in the 1930s, Primanti Brothers originally catered to truckers on the go with sandwiches encompassing a side of french fries and coleslaw between two slices of bread.

Rumored to be a fave of Mario Batali, the legendary Steeler city sandwich requires a champion appetite. Hungry with curiosity, I ventured to San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood, where some Pittsburgh natives founded Giordano Brothers to serve similar all-in-one sandwiches to unsuspecting Californians. For the hot, gooey details, read more.

At Giordano Brothers, the sandwiches are served on thick-cut slices of freshly baked Italian loaf. The bread is left untoasted, so it's easier to squish over the pile of fixin's, which include provolone cheese, seasoned fries, and oil and vinegar coleslaw.

Most of the menu focuses on Italian meats, cooked hot on the griddle, though vegetarians can opt for fried egg. I went for hot coppa, which (as the FAQ sign explains) is sort of like prosciutto. Either way, the combination of warm, crispy-on-the-outside fries and grilled protein makes the cheese melt perfectly, even on untoasted bread. The result is nothing if not hearty, best served with a few dashes of the tableside hot sauce.

Though the sandwich looks daunting, it all actually squashes down quite comfortably, though I can't really say the same for how it sits in your stomach. Still, I'd definitely eat another one. Would you dare to try it?

For Better Sleep, Turn Off the Blue Light

FitSugar — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:30:00 -0700

A couple of years ago, I bought a new digital alarm clock. The numbers are displayed with blue light instead of red. I thought blue light would be more soothing and possibly help me drift off more easily to the land of nod. Boy, was I wrong.

Blue light actually interferes with the production of melatonin, a hormone that induces sleep. TVs and computer screens also emit blue light, which is why you should turn off the electronic gadgets an hour before bedtime, so your body can start producing melatonin. In fact, blue light is so powerful at interfering with our ability to sleep that some truckers use blue lights to keep them awake on long nights on the road. The blue light helps truckers reset their circadian rhythm and tricks them into thinking morning is fast approaching.

I am replacing the blue clock because sometimes I need all the help I can get when it comes to falling asleep.