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Rocket Science: Charming, But Not Quite Enough

BuzzSugar — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 14:03:57 -0700

Rocket Science is the kind of movie that people, including me, will describe as charming or endearing. The problem with the film - the first narrative feature from Oscar-nominated director Jeffrey Blitz, who directed Spellbound - is that it's not quite as charming as it thinks it is.

Rocket Science centers on Hal Hefner (Reece Thompson), a meek high schooler with a serious stutter and a wrecked home life. After embarrassing himself by going mum during a school assembly, he's recruited for the school's debate team by Ginny Ryerson (Anna Kendrick), the state debate runner-up who's still nursing the wounds from being abandoned mid-finals by her former partner, Ben Wekselbaum (Nick D'Agosto). Ginny tells Hal she sees real potential in him, and he falls completely for her ploy, never thinking that Ginny might have more self-interested motivations in mind. In normal high school underdog tales, Hal would lose the stutter, get the girl and win the state debate trophy, but Rocket Science is more complicated than that, so read more

From the opening scenes, the central idea of Rocket Science is that on the night Ben Wekselbaum stopped speaking at the New Jersey state debate championships, his voice started slowly making its way toward Hal. And it's an appealing idea, because Hal is obviously smart and witty and easy to root for; you want him to be able to tell the lunch lady he wants pizza without suffering through two minutes of "um"s and "uh"s first. Basically, you want Hal to get what he wants, which is 1) the ability to speak clearly and 2) Ginny. Thompson and Kendrick deliver nuanced performances far beyond their years here; there's one scene that ends with a cello through a window that's simultaneously hilarious and deeply moving.

Rocket Science isn't content just to tell a story of a stuttering, lovelorn wannabe debater, though, and that's where the movie's weaknesses lie. I assume Blitz, who also wrote the film, was aiming for a universal "finding your voice in a messed-up world" theme, with broken marriages, deviant teenagers and unhelpful school counselors to spare. But the movie is bloated with supporting characters and plot threads that don't ever seem to tie into the whole. The counselor, a staple of every high school film, fades in and out of relevance; Hal's mother's lover is little more than a caricature. I would have been content to lose virtually all of those characters and plot lines in favor of spending more time with Hal and Ginny.

The movie starts coming back together toward the end, however, when Hal seeks out Ben for advice. D'Agosto, so so young and goofy-looking in photos, looks positively like a man next to tiny, insecure Hal; Ben's confidence couples with Hal's insecurity to create some of the funniest and truest scenes in the film. I just wish Rocket Science had stuck to dealing with love, revenge, and high school debate; it's a smaller story, true, but one that the film could tell very well indeed.

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"Heroes" Fans: Claire Gets a New Boyfriend

BuzzSugar — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 12:16:41 -0700

Remember Claire's sweet Southern diner fiance from the last season of "Heroes"? Well, forget him. There's going to be a new guy in Claire's life: West, played by Nick D'Agosto. Yes, his name is going to be "West."

No news on exactly what kind of power he'll have, but apparently it's "very cool."

D'Agosto has been in a few TV pilots, but curiously, he's also in an indie movie called Rocket Science, the trailer for which I was just watching this morning. In it he plays Ben, a brilliant high school debater and the counterpart to the lead character Hal whose stutter prevents him from succeeding in the world of high school debate.

The trailer is incredibly endearing and funny, so I can see why the movie got great reviews at its Sundance premiere back in January. It looks similar to the awkward teenage indie movie Thumbsucker - only this time it's stuttering that's the problem, not thumb sucking - with elements of Napoleon Dynamite thrown in. The movie comes out in limited release August 10. To watch the trailer, read more

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Leonard Nimoy Talks Tech, Star Trek 2, and Fringe

GeekSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:47:12 -0700

If you haven't been watching Fringe, you're missing out on a solid sci-fi thriller that will help fill a void where BSG left off. Sure, there's no space, but there are alternate universes . . . and Leonard Nimoy.

The original Spock made his appearance on the Fox series in last season's cliffhanger finale as William Bell, and will be gracing the screen again in tonight's episode. I can't tell you how excited I was to get an opportunity to talk to Leonard Nimoy himself in a conference call yesterday before his season two debut, but I'm sure you can imagine that I had to take a few deep breaths before dialing the number - come on, he's a geek legend!

Check out what Mr. Nimoy had to say about his sci-fi career, the state of the genre today, and what he's up to now when you read more.

G: Your body of work (even before Star Trek) leans heavily toward sci-fi, so I was wondering if you have always been a fan of the genre yourself?
LN: It's a good thing if you can find your niche as an actor. Back in 1951, I acted in my first science fiction project, which was probably not very well known (but I thought it was going to rocket me to stardom if you pardon my expression), and it was called Zombies of the Stratosphere. I was the third group of zombies that came to earth to take over earth's orbit, and it was a great project. But science fiction has been a fertile ground for the kind of work that I do, the kind of presence that I offer, and I'm grateful for the niche that science fiction has given me.

On if he's a "techie": I use a computer. I don't know if that qualifies me as a techie, but I'm pretty good on a computer!
On how he feels about the current state of the sci-fi genre on TV and film: I'm concerned about the positioning of story in terms of importance. When I see a lot of explosions and a lot of chases, I'm not terribly impressed. I think that there are three important elements that must be given priority position in science fiction (as well as any other kind of drama). The first is story, the second is story, and the third is story. If the story is compelling and interesting, all the other elements will find their place.
On other projects he's working on now: I'm doing a lot of photography work. That's one of my major creative outlets right now. I have an exhibition opening at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art next year that I'm really excited about.
On his relationship with J.J. Abrams and how he came into his role on Fringe: Well I first met him about three years ago when he first contacted me about the possibility of working together and I went to a meeting with him and some other production staff where they told me a very good, strong, and touching story about their feelings about Star TrekStar Trek series. I had a brilliant time working with them, so when they contacted me about working on Fringe - the same people, the same attitude, the same creativity - it was very enticing.
On if he'll be making a cameo in Star Trek 2: Frankly, I doubt that I'll be called upon again. I think I was useful in this last film to help bridge the original characters and the new cast, but with the new cast in place, I'm sure they'll move ahead with that. I don't see at the moment why they would need me, but I wouldn't hesitate if they asked.

What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:30:36 -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. Oh and even though it's not on Netflix, don't forget that Ally McBeal: The Complete Series is finally available on DVD today!

Year One

The comedy chops of Michael Cera and Jack Black weren't enough to make prehistoric comedy Year One a hit, but the movie still has some laughs, especially if you're fans of the two actors.

The gross-out humor definitely wore on me, but the funny supporting cast might make it worth the rental (Paul Rudd, Hank Azaria, and David Cross all make cameos) - if you can stand all the toilet humor.

16%

See two more new releases when you read more.

Anvil! The Story of Anvil

Anvil! The Story of Anvil became a surprising sleeper hit, thanks in large part to word of mouth (aka Twitter). The documentary centers around Canadian heavy metal band Anvil, who may have been little known to the public, but actually went on to influence other popular acts like Metallica. Metallica even shows up in the movie to talk about the band.

The movie was beloved by critics (check that Rotten Tomatoes rating!) and was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award.

98%

Assassination of a High School President

Bruce Willis and Mischa Barton star in Assassination of a High School President, a comedy/crime caper set in a high school. The film made a splash at last year's Sundance Film Festival, but then kind of faded away when it came to a theatrical release . . . no matter, because it's on Netflix now.

I was intrigued by the trailer for this movie and will probably check it out, especially since it has Rocket Science's cute protagonist, Reece Thompson.

57%

Which movie will you be adding to your Netflix queue?

Garden Therapy: Top 4 Ways to Improve Your Lawn

CasaSugar — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:00:10 -0700

While some of us have turned our lawns into gardens, the majority of homeowners still have turf in their yards (yours truly included). Keeping your lawn looking its best isn't rocket science, but there are some basic things you should do to keep it looking tip-top. Luckily, the smart folks at Gardeners, my favorite gardening company, have shared all you need to know to keep your lawn in great shape. Check out the tips, and then read the entire article for even more details.

Source: Getty

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Dumbass of the Day

GiggleSugar — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 07:00:00 -0700

Not only does this defendant on Judge Judy not know how to provide intelligent testimony - you know, the kind that won't get her into trouble - she doesn't understand what a rhetorical question is. When Judge Judy tells you something isn't rocket science, and then asks you what rocket science is, don't define it, followed by an "I think . . ." Sigh.

Zac Efron's Ready to Get Shirtless and Duke It Out

PopSugar — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:00:39 -0700

Zac Efron is on the cover of May's GQ as he continues to get out there and promote 17 Again before its release this weekend. Fresh off hosting SNL, Zac is continuing in his quest to transition from teen idol to serious actor. He sat down with the magazine to discuss mature topics like meeting Hollywood A-listers, marriage, and what he was like as a kid - all while using some colorful language. Here's more:

On doing theater in high school: "It was the worst possible thing you could do in high school. Kids who are in musical theater tend to be self-confident in a quirky kind of way, and when kids who are really self-conscious see somebody doing that kind of thing, they try to bring them down. I used to do random things, man. When I was a kid? I dyed my hair silver, to look like Sisqó in the 'Thong Song' video. I just didn’t give a f*ck. I didn’t care."
On keeping his reputation clean: "I wasn’t programmed by Disney. It’s common sense. If you’re gonna be drunk with your friends, don’t get wasted at the Chateau Marmont and hook up with some famous chick. It’s not rocket science . . . I don’t want to be famous for my personality. If anything, I keep that under wraps."
On marriage: "That was such bullsh*t. I’m definitely not getting married. In this business, you’re either getting married or they want you to be pregnant. I’m not getting married until I’m 40. If ever. The thought never crossed my mind . . . Maybe not 40. Maybe not until I’m 30."

To see photos of Zac, as well as what he has to say about meeting Sean Penn, Leo, and his family, just read more.

On meeting Sean Penn: "He was, uh, not in top form. Or maybe he was in top form. He was in rare form. Anyway - he told me to go skydiving. That’s all. Just-'Go skydiving.'"
On his lunch date with Leo: "I thought I was gonna ask him questions. He ended up asking me questions, and in that, he told me a lot. He said, 'There's one way that you can really f*ck this all up. Just do heroin. If you steer clear of that-the other obstacles you’ll be able to navigate.' And that makes sense, dude."
On his parents: "They’re both pessimists. They’ll give it to you real. They don’t blow you up with excess confidence. I didn’t grow up thinking I was the greatest kid in the world. And they completely believed that there was a one-in-a-billion chance I would ever be successful. And that was ingrained in the back of my head: I will fail. I’m going to fail. They managed my expectations. I was always prepared to fail. So it was kind of confusing when things started to work out."

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Excuse Me EPA, There's Rocket Fuel in My Water

FitSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Water is a basic necessity to all life, and the havoc we wreak on this planet eventually shows up in our water. The latest culprit is rocket fuel, or perchlorate, which is also used in fertilizer, fireworks and road flares. (What rocket fuel has to do with growing food is a mystery to me as well.)

Dangerous levels of perchlorate have been found in 395 public water sites, in 35 different states. According to some scientists, the levels of this toxic substance are high enough to interfere with thyroid function and can cause developmental health risks for babies and fetuses. Unfortunately, the EPA just concluded that there is no need to purge this particular contaminate from public drinking water. The draft document from the agency stated that mandating a clean-up level for the rocket fuel would not make a meaningful difference in reducing the risks posed by the chemical.

The EPA is essentially walking away from the issue, stating that the Pentagon did not pressure them, but that their findings are based on science. The Pentagon was a major contributor to the problem having used perchlorate in their aerospace and missile programs. The EPA does recognize that there are risks associated with the chemical and will work with states to reduce them. In fact, California and Massachusetts have already created laws regulating the amount of perchlorate allowed in public drinking water.

I must say this freaks me out a bit, and the fact that perchlorate has been found in lettuce fuels my fear (pun intended) even more. How do you feel about it? Tell me in the comments section below.

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Fab Gift Guide: The Bomb Boyfriend

FabSugar — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 08:00:22 -0800

If your man is the bomb boyfriend, meaning he's been there for you through bad haircuts, crazy outbursts, and even fixes your car (aw); then it's time to up the ante. This Valentine's Day, forgo the red silk boxers and get creative. It's not rocket science, boys are pretty easy to shop for. Get him a gift he actually needs or splurge on something he would never buy for himself. My friend's BF loves to surf; he would flip over these Oakley Hijinx Sport Wrap Sunglasses ($100) modeled by Adam from The City.

Rocket Belt Will Take You To Space, Baby

GeekSugar — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 12:12:40 -0700

Well, kinda. For $250,000 you can get yourself your very own pink rocket belt and take personal travel to a whole new level! That's right, a Jetson style jet pack custom-made for your own weight and size; the service even includes fully-tested custom rocket belt, a machine to help you make your own rocket fuel, hands-on training including 10 flights in your own rocket belt and expert support from inventor Juan Manuel Lozano.

"I have flown everything-gyrocopters, helicopters and aerobatic planes,” Lozano told Popular Science. “The rocket belt is the hardest. But you can learn to fly a rocket belt, because you can learn to fly anything. It just takes time.”

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Tokidoki Skull Logo T-shirt - $33.00	Bunch Knit Watch Beanie - $28.00
Diagonal mini-frame stripe tie - $59.50	Stripe Cotton + Cashmere Cardigan - $69.50
Nixon The Rotolog Watch - $224.95	Men's Printed Flip-Flops - $5.00
Standard Officer's Jacket - $128.00	Silk & Leather Wallet - $85.00
Creative Recreation Rocco Sneakers - Men - $120.00	Men's "Johnny Cupid" Graphic Tees - $5.00
Oakley Hijinx Sport Wrap Sunglasses - $100.00