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Buzz Brainteaser

BuzzSugar — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 04:30:00 -0700

Welcome to Buzz Brainteaser, the trivia feature on BuzzSugar! Every weekday I'll test your knowledge about TV shows, music and movies. If you enter in the correct answer, you win points! In Little Miss Sunshine, Dwayne is unable to fly jet planes because he is _____.

Movie Night: Well-Meaning Dads

BuzzSugar — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 15:14:40 -0700

This week I posted my Top 10 Movie Dads - many of whom are notable for their sweetness or bravery or patience. Now for this week's Movie Night, I'm suggesting three movies in which the dads love their kids and are well-intentioned, but don't always quite cut it.

Say Anything
Before he was the grouchy cane-wielding dad on "Frasier," John Mahoney was Diane's (Ione Skye) crook dad, James, in Say Anything. He and Diane have a very special relationship, in fact, they're kind of each other's whole world. It would be intensely creepy if it weren't so cute. And, of course, we love James just as much as Diane does - up until his true actions are discovered and Diane (along with the audience) feels betrayed and disappointed. Still, even at the very end when James has hurt his daughter enormously, you can still see that he loves her more than anything. He just got a little lost.

Two more if you read more

Little Miss Sunshine
Richard (Greg Kinnear) thinks he's being a supportive father to little bespectacled Olive, giving her advice on weight management, etc. Instead, however, he's confusing her and he's on his way to damaging her self-image. He's also mildly delusional and rather insensitive toward his suicidal brother-in-law Frank (Steve Carell). In the end, of course, Richard redeems himself, and his actions finally coincide with his good intentions.

Pretty in Pink
There's a lot of love between Andie (Molly Ringwald) and her dad Jack (Harry Dean Stanton), to the point where it's a little shady. Unemployed and mostly unwashed for much of the film, Jack is like the child in his relationship with his daughter. He loves her - she seems to be all he's got - but he just can't seem to get out of bed to get a job... or to shave, for that matter. And Andie clearly loves him, too, despite his lazy, sleepy ways.

Buzz News Roundup, 3/2

BuzzSugar — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 14:30:20 -0800

Thankfully, the Little Miss Sunshine directors' next project won't be a sequel but a Tom Perrotta script about a sex-ed teacher, MTV News reports.
The co-executive producers on "Lost" strike a deal with ABC through 2010, according to Variety.
Also, get used to "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" - it's sticking around for a while, Zap2it reports.
Inexplicably, the new White Stripes album will be called Icky Thump, and Billboard has the details.
Anglophiles, rejoice: The BBC is creating three YouTube channels.
Who's taking over for Big Pussy on "Dancing with the Stars"? Why, it's Cliff from "Cheers," People reports.
Pitchfork has info on the next Bjork album, Volta, which will drop in early May.
Peyton Manning will be hosting "Saturday Night Live" this month, says the Associated Press.
Drastically shifting gears from the controversial play "Equus," Daniel Radcliffe signs on for the final two Harry Potter films, Reuters reports.

What to Netflix: 2007 Oscar Winners

BuzzSugar — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 06:00:08 -0800

Now that we know who won at the 2007 Oscars, a lot of you are probably looking to catch up on your Oscar-movie viewing. Well, you're in luck, because most of the winning movies that aren't still in theaters are out on DVD and just waiting to be added to your Netflix queue. Here's a look at all of the Oscar-winning films now available for home viewing.

The Departed
Oscars: Best Adapted Screenplay, Achievement in Film Editing, Best Director for Martin Scorsese, and Best Picture

Trust me: Just watch The Departed once, and you'll understand what all the fuss is about. The fast-paced drama isn't terribly deep: A good cop (Leonardo DiCaprio) goes undercover with a mobster (Jack Nicholson), who has his own man (Matt Damon) inside the force. But the intricately woven plot and masterful performances, particularly by supporting cast members like Mark Wahlberg and Alec Baldwin, prove that this movie deserves all of the Oscars it won.

Little Miss Sunshine
Oscars: Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Alan Arkin

Skillfully mixing pathos with absurd comedy, Little Miss Sunshine tells the story of one family's quest to get bespectacled Olive to the Little Miss Sunshine competition on time. In an astounding cast (Alan Arkin, Toni Collette, Greg Kinnear), Steve Carrell is perhaps the most impressive as a suicidal Proust scholar forced to live with his sister's bizarre family. As a special bonus, the DVD features four alternate endings to the movie.

Four more, so read more

Babel
Oscars: Best Score

Though it didn't take home the Best Picture trophy, Babel has gotten a lot of buzz for its universal themes and good-looking cast. Set in three continents and featuring five languages, the film follows four different stories revolving around the aftermath of a shooting in the Moroccan desert. The strong performances, compelling story, and sharp cinematography make it a must-see. For a more in-depth look at Babel, check out my review.

An Inconvenient Truth
Oscar: Best Documentary and Best Song

He may have lost the presidential election, but Al Gore can now say he's the only candidate to have ever won an Oscar. Gore's pet project tackles the important issue of climate change with compelling facts and a great soundtrack. Like a great documentary should, An Inconvenient Truth will make you care about the film's concerns while also keeping you thoroughly entertained.

Marie Antoinette
Oscar: Best Costumes

The bright, beautiful period clothes featured in Sofia Coppola's stylized depiction of the young Marie Antoinette are impressive enough to warrant a viewing of the film. Kirsten Dunst stars as Marie, the naive Austrian princess who became the Queen of France at age 19. The film follows her betrothal to Louis XVI (Jason Schwartzman) at age 15, through her reign as Queen and the eventual fall of Versailles.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Oscar: Achievement in Visual Effects

While I can't recommend this movie for its compelling plot, the second film in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has plenty of eye candy, including star Johnny Depp and astounding special effects. (It was also nominated for art direction.) In this well-conceptualized fantasy world, you get everything from regal, tall-masted ships to creepy sea monsters and nautical costumes, all of which help give the special-effects-heavy movie a unified look and feel.

Happy Hour: Sunshine in Malibu

YumSugar — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 13:56:12 -0800

Alan Arkin's suprise win for Best Supporting Actor is definitely cause for celebration. So I've rounded up another Oscar inspired recipe. This time it's a drink called [Little Miss] Sunshine in Malibu. Created specifically for the Oscars, this drink is a citrusy mix of pineapple rum and mango. So raise a glass and toast good ol' Grandpa (aka Alan Arkin). And if you agree, or don't agree, with his win, be sure to voice your opinion over at BuzzSugar. To read the recipe, read more

Sunshine in Malibu
From Malibu Rum - inspired by Little Miss Sunshine

1 part Mango Rum
1 part Pineapple Rum
orange juice

Pour the rums into a highball glass over ice.
Fill with orange juice.
Enjoy!

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Little Miss Sunshine and Half Nelson Have Spirit (Awards)

BuzzSugar — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 06:00:17 -0800

The big ol' Oscars get all of the attention, but the Film Independent Spirit Awards are the a nice little antidote to all of the Academy Awards' grandness. Held on the Saturday night before the Oscars, this year's ceremony honored one major Best Picture nominee (Little Miss Sunshine) and some great little pictures that could, like Half Nelson. Here's a list of the 2007 Spirit Awards winners.

BEST FEATURES
Little Miss Sunshine

BEST DIRECTOR
Jonathon Dayton & Valerie Faris, Little Miss Sunshine

BEST SCREENPLAY
Jason Reitman, Thank You For Smoking

To see the rest, read more

BEST FIRST FEATURE
Sweet Land

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Michael Arndt, Little Miss Sunshine

JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD
(For the Best Feature made for under $500,000)
Quinceañera

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Frances McDormand, Friends with Money

BEST SUPPORTING MALE
Alan Arkin, Little Miss Sunshine

BEST FEMALE LEAD
Shareeka Epps, Half Nelson

BEST MALE LEAD
Ryan Gosling, Half Nelson

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Guillermo Navarro, Pan’s Labyrinth

BEST FOREIGN FILM
The Lives of Others

BEST DOCUMENTARY
The Road to Guantanamo

Source

Get Oscar Fit (Take IT Off): Little Miss Sunshine

FitSugar — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 02:45:00 -0800

Carmen Electra might have cornered the market on striptease exercise, but some ladies are nipping at her heels. We all know that Kate Hudson enjoys strip aerobics classes at Sheila Kelley's S-Factor in L.A. Even the little Miss in Little Miss Sunshine performs stripping moves with quite some innocent flair.

Moves designed to make other folks hot and bothered can burn up the calories too. If the vibe is right and the moves are fun, chances are you are going to keep on exercising. Cardio striptease, also known as strip aerobics, was the brainchild of the Crunch Gym on L.A.'s Sunset Strip (think that is just coincidental?). Crunch Gym is kind of the bad boy of fitness clubs, the Charlie Sheen of gyms if you will.

I must say, I think going to a class sounds more fun than putting on a DVD in my living room. Urban Striptease Partners have created classes that are ongoing at all sorts of gyms, all over the country from Virginia to Seattle. Chances are high you can find one close to home on their website.

If you want to see the kind of moves featured in cardio striptease, here's a clip of Carmen workin' it. I must say it is pretty hot. Then read more

Oscar Worthy Gadgets: Little Miss Sunshine's Answering Machine

GeekSugar — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 12:00:14 -0800

There are a few reasons why I love Little Miss Sunshine. No. 1: Steve Carell. No. 2: The Script. No. 3: The scene where little Olive (played by Abigail Breslin) unleashes a scream more intense than a stampede of hundreds of people getting their hands on a Wii when she finds out she was accepted to the "Little Miss Sunshine" beauty and talent competition. Olive: "I won, I won, I won, I won, I won!"

Not only is Breslin the new Dakota Fanning in my book, but her answering machine gets my pick for being an Oscar-worthy gadget by osmosis. Who uses old school answering machines anymore? The cutest 11-year-old ever, that's who. Want to see more Little Miss Sunshine gadgets? read more

View 4 Photos ›

Have you filled out your Oscar ballot? The winner will score a fabulous Prada bag, runners-up will get $50 to $500 gift cards Neiman Marcus, Sephora and The Apple Store. Get your votes in! Good luck! For official rules click here.

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Best Picture Breakdown: Little Miss Sunshine

BuzzSugar — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 13:08:01 -0800

From now until the 2007 Oscars air this Sunday night, I'll be breaking down each Best Picture nominee and giving you the scoop on why certain movies might win and why others probably don't have a chance. Yesterday, we looked at Letters from Iwo Jima, and today's featured movie is Little Miss Sunshine.

This film is a classic case of an indie darling that became a surprise mainstream hit. The movie's heartwarming charm tinged with grim reality makes it hard to resist, and the widespread appeal was most likely a factor in its Best Picture nomination. For a look at Little Miss Sunshine's chances in the Best Picture race, read more

Why It Might Win

The well-crafted story about family quirkiness and solidarity appeals to most everyone. It's refreshing to see a family that is equally, or likely more bizarre than your own.
The screenplay is remarkably thoughtful in terms of plot, character development, and dialogue. The story itself has it all: drama, suspense, pathos, dark comedy, intellectual comedy, and physical comedy. That could, however, simply score Sunshine a screenwriting award.
It is supremely well-cast. Abigail Breslin is guileless in her performance, achieving things many adult actors never have. Alan Arkin is always enjoyable, as is Toni Collette. Greg Kinnear is spot-on, and Paul Dano turns teen angst into something not entirely cartoonish. Steve Carrell is, of course, many peoples' new favorite comedic actor, which makes it particularly painful to see him so darkly sad. As an ensemble, they basically kick ass.

Why It Might Not Win

It's way too feel-good for the Academy, which may simply recognize its merits with the Best Picture nomination and stop there.
While it's impressive that these first-time filmmakers created such a successful movie, they're still not nearly as accomplished as some of the other big guns behind the other Best Picture nominees.
The Academy tends to favor films that are either "important" (like Million Dollar Baby or Crash) or visually spectacular (Lord of the Rings, Gladiator). Little Miss Sunshine is rather homespun in comparison.

Chances of Winning: Slim

Source and Source

TV Dinners: Little Miss Sunshine - Fried Chicken

YumSugar — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 15:13:30 -0800

Since we're in full-blown Oscars mode right now, I thought it would be fun to highlight a few different movies, both nominees and past winners, and see what dishes I could come up with for TV Dinners. Today I decided to start things off with something from one of my favorite movies of last year, Little Miss Sunshine.
Remember the scene near the beginning where the entire family gets together for a lovely dinner? You know the one where mom Sheryl brings home an enormous bucket of takeout chicken, which causes Grandpa to burst, "Every night it's the f**king chicken!" (if you don't remember, then checkout the clip after the jump). Well, if you're a keen viewer, you might have noted that the "f'ing chicken" came from a place called "Dinah's." Now for the interesting part, although the scene takes place in Albuquerque, Dinah's is actually a small chain with locations in Southern California only. Now I've never been there, but from what I understand they have some fantastic fried chicken. Unfortunately, their secret recipe (which according to their box is "traditionally southern and so free from cooking oil) is kept under lock and key, so we won't be able to have the real thing, but I do have a really tasty one you could make instead.

For a great fried-chicken recipe and a video clip of Grandpa's colorful feelings toward the chicken, read more

And if you're too lazy to make your own, Dinah's actually has an online ordering system.

Fried Chicken
From The Splendid Table

3 cups flour
3 tbsp fine ground cornmeal (optional)
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
2 cups milk or buttermilk
1 tbsp tabasco sauce (optional)
1 (or 2) 3 to 3 1/2 pound chickens - each cut into 8 or 10 pieces with skin
vegetable oil, lard, solid shortening -- about 1-1/2 cups
1/4 cup bacon fat (optional)

Blend flour, salt and pepper in a paper bag, tasting for balance. Have milk in a shallow bowl. Use an electric fry pan or a large, heavy skillet, cast iron is best. Fat should come no more than halfway up the side of the chicken pieces. This isn't deep frying. Start with about 3/4 inch. Heat to 375 degrees.

Figure how many chicken pieces will fit without crowding in the pan. If possible fry white and dark meat separately for best cooking. Dip chicken pieces in milk, then shake in flour bag, shaking off excess. Arrange in the hot fat. Turn several times in cooking for even coloring. Fry about 15 to 20 minutes to golden and crisp, turn with tongs (don't pierce chicken as juices spatter in the fat). Lower heat slightly to 350 degrees and cook another 15 to 20 minutes. Test for doneness with instant reading thermometer -- should be 175 to 180 degrees. Drain on paper towels. Serve hot or cold.

Note: I dug up this recipe when hunting for Dinah's Fried Chicken (as featured in Little Miss Sunshine), if anyone has the recipe for Dinah's, please drop me a line!

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