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What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 07:30:34 -0800

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 my selections below you can now add High School Musical 3, Flash of Genius, Religulous, and How to Lose Friends and Alienate People to your queue.

Changeling
If you're trying to catch all the Oscar-nominated performances before the big night, now's your chance to see Angelina in her award-worthy role in Changeling. Here's the Netflix plot description in case you forgot: "Christine Collins (Angelina Jolie) is overjoyed when her young kidnapped son Walter is brought back home. But when Christine suspects that the Walter who was returned to her isn't her actual child, the police captain (Jeffrey Donovan) has her committed to an asylum. John Malkovich co-stars as the crusading reverend who comes to Christine's rescue in this gripping, 1920s-set drama helmed by ace director Clint Eastwood."

I'm glad to see they dispensed of that creepy movie poster for the DVD cover. Extras include featurettes titled "Partners in Crime: Clint Eastwood and Angelina Jolie" and "The Common Thread: Angelina Jolie Becomes Christine Collins."

Two more up next, so read more.

Body of Lies
Ridley Scott fans will have a good time with this political thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe. The two talented actors play CIA operatives trying to find a major terrorist leader by working with the Jordanian secret police. It's a timely, action-packed tale of espionage that might even make you think.

Special features include commentary by director Ridley Scott, screenwriter William Monahan and original novel author David Ignatius, and a featurette titled "Actionable Intelligence: Deconstructing Body of Lies."

Choke
I'm excited to see Sam Rockwell star in this adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk's darkly comedic novel. Rockwell plays Victor Mancini, a guy who works at a Colonial-era theme park, frequents Sex Addicts Anonymous meetings to hit on women, and lies about being a choke victim to make money for his ailing mother (Anjelica Huston). He doesn't appear to be what we generally describe as a "winner" which makes it all the more intriguing to me.

Special features include audio commentary with director/writer/actor Clark Gregg and Rockwell, deleted scenes, a gag reel, and "A Conversation with Clark Gregg and Chuck Palahniuk."

Sugar Bits - Madonna and Guy Ritchie Announce Divorce

PopSugarUK — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:55:00 -0700

Update: Madonna's rep, Liz Rosenberg, confirms that Madonna and Guy Ritchie will divorce after seven and a half years of marriage. The couple requests that the public respect their privacy. They have not agreed on a settlement.

The Sun is claiming a world exclusive that Madonna and Guy Ritchie are to divorce. A statement confirming their marriage is over has reportedly been prepared and is set to be released imminently, because they "can’t bear to live with the pretence any longer". A spokeswoman for Madonna declined to comment last night. - The Sun
Mel C. has reportedly asked Victoria Beckham to plan her wedding, and Victoria has thrown herself in to the role, already making inquiries at St Peters Church in Liverpool and asking Roberto Cavalli to design the dress. - Daily Star
First-time author Aravind Adiga won the Man Booker Prize last night with his novel The White Tiger, which was praised by the judges for presenting the "dark side of India" and likened to Shakespeare's Macbeth "with a delicious twist". - The Independent
Coldplay has received four nominations for the 2008 American Music Awards, while Alicia Keys leads the pack with five nods. The AMAs will take place in LA on 23 November with Jimmy Kimmel as host. - MTV
Following reports that Jeff Stelling would be offered the role of hosting Countdown, it is now reported that Alexander Armstrong is also in the running for the job. - The Telegraph
The House Bunny has gone straight in at number one on the UK and Ireland box office chart. Mirrors took second place, pushing last week's number one, How To Lose Friends and Alienate People, to number three. - BBC

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Sugar Bits: Noel's Back On Tour With Oasis

PopSugarUK — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:00:00 -0700

Oasis star Noel Gallagher has returned to the stage following his broken ribs at the hands of a stage invader in Canada. He launched the band's first UK date in Liverpool last night. - BBC
Jade Goody has spoken out saying there are people who thinks she deserves to die. The TV star is battling cervical cancer. - Daily Mail
Jennifer Lopez has revealed that she once had a nervous breakdown that left her unable to talk or move on the set of the movie Enough. - The Sun
How To Lose Friends And Alienate People has gone in straight at number one in the UK box office charts. Action thriller Taken is at number two, with Tropic Thunder in third position. - BBC
Madonna has banned US Republican Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin from attending her concerts. The singer made the remarks during her live show in New Jersey on Saturday. - NME

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How to Lose Friends and Alienate People: Not Alienating, Just Not That Funny

BuzzSugar — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 14:00:53 -0700

It’s hard to care too much about someone as obnoxious as Sidney Young, the main character of How to Lose Friends and Alienate People, played by Simon Pegg. Having a main character as unlikable as Sidney is one of the key things that doesn't work in it. There are some things that do work - a few funny bits, some great comedic performances - but they don't quite make up for the experience of watching the movie as a whole, which ends up being just kinda "meh."

The character of Sidney Young is based on the real Toby Young, who wrote the memoir on which this movie is based. In the film, Sidney is a cynical British writer who is obsessed with the notion of celebrity while simultaneously finding it ridiculous. He puts out a magazine in England called Post Modern Review, full of snarky pieces about famous people. Amused by this, Clayton Harding (Jeff Bridges), editor of Sharps magazine in New York offers Sidney a job and the bumbling, uncouth Sidney sets off for glamorous New York. Once at Sharps, however, Sidney discovers that he's expected to write only "safe" celebrity profiles, and that his sarcasm and brutal honesty are unacceptable. Thus, Sidney struggles to succeed at Sharps - as a writer, but also as a boorish guy in a glamorous magazine world - without relinquishing his identity altogether. Of course, there's a love story tossed in, too, so for more on that and everything else, read more.

At Sharps, Sidney meets Alison Olsen (Kirsten Dunst), a droll aspiring novelist who has no problem calling Sidney out on his impertinence. They often engage in that sarcastic banter that is actually flirtatious, but Sidney's not interested in Alison because he's too busy drooling over the beautiful young starlet Sophie Maes (Megan Fox). This storyline is so obvious and predictable, I was certain it would surprise me in the end but alas, there's not a ton of surprise at the end of this movie in general.

I really like Simon Pegg, and his uniquely awesome comedic abilities sometimes save the day here, especially in the beginning when it's funny to watch someone so socially inept act inappropriately at all times. It can be refreshing to see Sidney call out the pretentious charade of American celebrity, but we don't really root for him to succeed because he's kind of a jackass. And then, when he starts to really try to succeed, we certainly don't want him to do so by selling out and writing the crap that Clayton insists he write. But then everything you could have predicted (but didn't truly want to have happen) happens - including the incredibly generic rom-com stuff - and it's a total disappointment. Like the pitiful kid at the party, the colorful balloon of the movie deflates, and we’re left disappointed and sleepy. But then again, after a nap we'll probably forget the entire thing ever happened.

Photos courtesy of MGM

Pegg And Friends Premiere Alienating Film

PopSugarUK — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 04:00:00 -0700

London's Leicester Square played host to the premiere of Simon Pegg's new movie How To Lose Friends And Alienate People last night. Kirsten Dunst and Megan Fox were unable to attend, but glowing Gillian Anderson and stylish Margo Stilley were there to represent the rest of the cast. Simon's best mate Nick Frost also showed up, along with lovely Martin Freeman, Gok Wan, Kirstie Allsopp and Guillemots.

I'm a big fan of SImon Pegg, but the trailer for this one really hasn't had me too excited - the clips crammed into the preview of the adaptation of Toby Young's book just looks a little forced. Still I'll reserve judgement until I've seen it, especially as another of my favourites, Jeff Bridges, costars. Will you see it?

To see more premiere photos, just read more

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The Official Trailer: How to Lose Friends and Alienate People

BuzzSugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:35:34 -0700

"Based on the true story of a real idiot."

The teaser for How to Lose Friends and Alienate People was kinda "meh" and the international trailer was downright odd. Now we have the "official" trailer for us Americans who are curious about this movie starring Simon Pegg, Megan Fox, Jeff Bridges, and Kirsten Dunst, and I have to say it is definitely an improvement. I didn't necessarily laugh at any of the moments that are supposed to be funny, but at least I can figure out what to expect from this film.

Based on the true-life story of author Toby Young, the movie looks a touch forced. Still, I adore Simon Pegg (who I recently got to interview - stay tuned for that!) and want to keep an open mind until it opens October 3.

To check out the trailer, read more.

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How To Lose Friends And Kung Fu Like A Panda

PopSugarUK — Fri, 16 May 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Day two of the Cannes Film Festival was just as entertaining as the first, again thanks to Jack Black who was joined by a comedic partner in Dustin Hoffman – who decided to play paparazzi for a minute – and Angelina Jolie playing it straight. Brad Pitt supported his baby-mama at the gala premiere of Kung Fu Panda and walked the red carpet alongside gorgeous ladies Lucy Liu, Rachel Leigh Cook, Eva Longoria and Natalie Imbruglia.

After a quick change, Natalie also showed up to the party for Simon Pegg's new movie How To Lose Friends And Alienate People where she partied with Simon, his co-star Gillian Anderson and guests including a tanned Lily Allen, Mischa Barton and Jenni Falconer. Hmm, both films look pretty enjoyable – which one are you looking forward to the most?

For a lot photos from day two of Cannes, just read more

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How to Lose Friends Trailer Arrives as Author Disses SATC

BuzzSugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 08:30:12 -0700

Just as author Toby Young has finished giving us his "man's take" on the Sex and the City movie - a bitter little piece in which Young calls the SATC New York a "pre-feminist society" where "[w]omen are second-class citizens who are expected to use their youth and beauty as commodities in order to secure their economic wellbeing" by marrying rich men - the international trailer has hit the Web for the film version of Young's memoir How to Lose Friends and Alienate People.

Clearly, Young loves to do just that - provoke and provoke until, yes, he alienates people. It's not so much that I disagree wholeheartedly with his assessment of the SATC world, but I do take issue with his claim that "the notion that girls like Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda will always be there for each other, no matter what the cost - is a sentimental myth." Is he a woman? Does he have any true insight into female relationships, among "golddigging" New Yorkers or otherwise? No.

Anyway, the international trailer for How to Lose Friends and Alienate People looks no better than the teaser trailer did, and as much as I love Simon Pegg, I just don't feel all that inclined to watch this film about a writer who unwittingly finds himself caught up within a world of glamour and celebrity. Especially since, from the movie's description it sounds like this main character, Sidney Young (Simon Pegg, playing Toby Young's "character") fancies himself above, well, everyone else in the world. What's enjoyable about watching someone like that?

To see the trailer - warning: there is one moment of NSFW language - read more.

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First Look: How to Lose Friends and Alienate People

BuzzSugar — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:31:09 -0800

While I love pretty much anything Simon Pegg does or says, and I seriously cannot wait for the Spring US release of Run, Fat Boy, Run, the teaser trailer for his next comedy How to Lose Friends and Alienate People leaves much to be desired. Based on Toby Young's 2003 memoir, the movie's plot description is this:

Sidney Young is a disillusioned intellectual who both adores and despises the world of celebrity, fame, and glamour. His alternative magazine, Post Modern Review, pokes fun at the media-obsessed stars and bucks trends, so when Young is offered a job at the conservative, New York-based Sharps magazine, it's something of a shock! Thus begins Sidney's descent into success - his gradual move from derided outsider to confidante of starlet Sophie Maes (Megan Fox) - and a love affair with colleague Alison Olsen (Kirsten Dunst) that will either make him or break him.

I look forward to a full trailer for the movie since this little 45-second one is pretty unsatisfying. To see the trailer for yourself and share your thoughts, read more

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Kirsten Works on How to Lose Friends & Alienate People

PopSugar — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 07:05:00 -0700

Now that the promotion machine that was Spider-Man 3 is over Kirsten can turn her focus to those smaller budget projects that she loves to do. At the moment she's busy shooting How to Lose Friends and Alienate People in London. It's based on Toby Young's memoir that chronicles his failed effort to make it at Vanity Fair. Kirsten plays an editor who has an affair with the lead character, played by Simon Pegg (Hot Fuzz). I enjoyed the book but I am not expecting this film to turn out like The Devil Wears Prada.

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