BuzzSugar

The Promotion: Kind of a Slacker

BuzzSugar — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 11:00:57 -0700

Steven Conrad, the writer/director of The Promotion, could have gone in a couple of different directions with his film, which centers on two guys battling for a job at a Chicago chain grocery store. He could have traipsed through the well-worn but awfully funny territory of office humor, replete with annoying coworkers and pesky in-jokes. Or he could have gone a bit deeper, meditating on success and what it means to be good.

The main trouble with The Promotion is that Conrad's script doesn't commit to either direction. One minute the film is full of silly workplace antics (including a highly amusing tater tot battle). The next, it's fumbling toward a ham-fisted statement about addiction or manhood. In the end, the movie provokes neither riotous laughter nor profound revelations. Like middle managers everywhere, The Promotion just gets stuck.

Seann William Scott plays Doug Stauber, a grocery store worker who fears he may never climb above the dreaded assistant-manager rung of short-sleeved shirts and embroidered name patches. Outside the office, things are going well enough - cute wife (Jenna Fischer), hopes of buying a house - and so when a shining beacon arrives in the form of an all-new grocery store, Doug sees a chance at salvation. It could be his store to manage, all his; his boss, Scott (Fred Armisen), even goes so far as to proclaim him a shoo-in. That, though, is before Richard Wehlner comes to town. Richard (John C. Reilly) is a nice guy with a laid-back Canadian attitude and a sweetheart of a wife (Lili Taylor, who for some reason speaks with a Scottish accent). But Richard isn't about to roll over and let Doug have the job: Bolstered by self-help tapes, he goes about making the promotion his own. The Promotion creates a vivid picture of the workplace, but it doesn't do as well with its main characters. To see what I mean, just read more.

The Promotion scores points for getting the minutae of workplace life right, from the minor slights that preoccupy Doug and Richard to the tinny, piped-in grocery store muzak. The bane of Doug's existence is the store parking lot, the gang of kids hanging out there, and the nasty notes that subsequently end up in the comment box; those cards (which bear messages like "I didn't put sexual harassment on my shopping list, but thanks") give the movie some of its sharpest moments. We all have the equivalent of that comment box in our work lives, and those scenes perfectly mix pleasure and pain.

The film suffers, though, from a few attempts at pushing the boundaries of political correctness. Well, it doesn't really push the envelope - it just gently nudges it, without enough conviction to justify going there at all. Some of the cringeworthy moments are amusing: Richard's "blapples" quip, in which he calls some bad kids "black apples" in a racially charged meeting, was funny in the trailer and is even better in context. But too many others are just squirmy - including Doug's glory moment, when he has the final chance to impress the grocery store's board. What he says is so uncomfortable that the audience at my screening let out a collective "ohhhh no."

There's also something off-putting about the movie's underlying message, which crops up late in the film: Both Doug and Richard believe that the only way to make it, to be worthwhile in society, is to provide for their wives. "I want to be the primary breadwinner," Doug flat-out says at one point. But why Doug feels this way is never really explored; instead, it's presented as fact: Men, to be successful, must earn. That's just how it goes. We learn slightly more about Richard, but it's still not enough - and given the movie's somewhat sarcastic tone, I kept waiting for something in his story to be a lie or a joke.

As a workplace movie, The Promotion is quite funny. But when it tries to go deeper, things don't quite add up. In the end, too many of the film's choices - like Lili Taylor's baffling Scots brogue - just left me saying "why?"

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Movie Preview: The Promotion

BuzzSugar — Sun, 11 May 2008 14:00:52 -0700

The Promotion stars some awesome names like John C. Reilly, Jenna Fischer and Seann William Scott and it looks hilarious. Yet I never heard of it at all until Cinematical posted a glowing review of the film after the South by Southwest screening. Now there's a trailer and a release date for the comedy: June 6. And I seriously can't wait.

The movie follows Richard (Reilly) and Doug (Scott), two mid-level Chicago supermarket employees who engage in a battle of wits over a promotion. Fred Armisen is in it, Jenna Fischer wears roller skates at one point, and it looks like Gil Bellows (Ally McBeal's love!) gets some funny bits. The trailer - which made me laugh out loud - makes it look like the movie has that funny-awkward thing going, similar to the tone of The Office. To check it out, read more.

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Link Time! 3/11

BuzzSugar — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:31:47 -0700

Popwatch is thrilled to see that Square Pegs, starring a baby-faced Sarah Jessica Parker, is finally on DVD, and wants to know what TV shows you're dying to see released on DVD. My vote goes to Ally McBeal.
Cinematical has all sorts of South by Southwest film news and reviews, including a super great review of The Promotion, an indie comedy starring John C. Reilly and Sean William Scott.
Goldie Hawn and Matthew Broderick have popped up on TV Squad's list of actors who should consider small-screen gigs.
If you didn't watch The Bachelor's "where are they now" special, TV Filter tells us, um, where they are now.
Idolator is pumped for the Pitchfork Music Festival, which will feature Public Enemy, Vampire Weekend, M. Ward, and Animal Collective, among others.
With Fox seemingly rolling out a new show every night, The TV Addict delivers a make your own Fox show Mad Libs game.
Check out PetSugar's adorable slideshow of her top 10 movies that star animals, including Best in Show and The Truth About Cats and Dogs, among others.
Vulture has a shot-by-shot commentary on the final scenes of The Wire.

Claire and Zac Share Mutual Admiration

PopSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

Zac Efron and Claire Danes were out and about in NYC yesterday to continue promoting their new movie Me and Orson Welles. The duo stopped by The Early Show for an interview and later met up again for a screening at night. Zac and Claire were full of compliments for each other as they make the rounds and have some cute back and forth banter during their morning appearance - watch it after the jump. This time Claire avoided any wardrobe malfunctions in her cute silver dress. Zac and Claire have been doing their promotional work - including chatting with PopSugar UK while in London - before the movie's release on Wednesday.

More photos of Claire and Zac at the premiere and video of their interview just read more.

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Have You Ever Regretted Taking a Promotion?

SavvySugar — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:30:56 -0700

You know that promotion you’ve been gunning for? Turns out that go-getter attitude could be detrimental to your health. According to a recent study from the University of Warwick, a leading university in the UK, promotions give people an average of 10 percent more stress. And since with higher positions come more responsibility and an increased workload, people who've climbed the ladder also have 20 percent less time to visit the doctor.

Promotions are generally considered something to strive for, not something to avoid - but I'm sure at least some of you have been promoted into a position that wasn't all it was cracked up to be. So tell me, have you ever regretted taking a promotion?

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Zac Efron Makes the Rounds on Radio and in Person

PopSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:30:36 -0800

Zac Efron arrived in London earlier this week to promote Me & Orson Welles, and he was busy yesterday and today doing a variety of interviews. He made an appearance last night at the Notting Hill Gate cinema for a question and answer session with fans, and PopSugar UK was there to chat with him - check out their interview! He was out again this morning for a stop by the Capitol Radio studios. He kicked off his trip to England with a premiere on Wednesday alongside costar Claire Danes, as Zac's press tour goes into full swing.

For more photos of Zac just read more.

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Win Tickets to Watch The Saturdays Perform Live In London!

PopSugarUK — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:00:42 -0800

Calling all UK-based Saturdays fans! To celebrate their new partnership with Impulse body spray "The Impulse Diaries", the girls are performing an exclusive gig in London and I've got two sets of three tickets for two lucky PopSugar Community members!

Simply leave a comment and you could win tickets to be part of the small audience at the show which will be held at London's Forum on the evening of Monday 7 December. The girls will perform their big hits as well as tracks from their new album, and the performance will be filmed for a special TV show! Please read the terms and conditions below carefully.

All you have to do to enter, is leave a comment before midnight (BST) on Sunday 29 November. Two winners will be selected at random to attend the gig with two guests each and will be contacted on Monday 30 November. You need to be a PopSugar Community member to enter, so if you're not already one and want to enter you MUST register for an account now. One entry per person; all repeat entries will be ignored. You must be logged in to make a comment and be eligible for the prize. Giveaway is open to UK residents aged 14 and over: please see the terms and conditions below for further rules regarding age requirements.

For terms and conditions, just read more.

Terms & Conditions

1. The Impulse Promotion is open to UK residents aged 14 and over.
2. If you are between the ages of 14 and 16 you must have obtained your parents' or guardian's consent before entering.
3. Each entrant may only enter the Competition once. No entrant may win more than one Prize.
4. Responsibility is not accepted for entries lost, damaged or delayed as a result of any network, computer hardware or software failure of any kind. Proof of sending will not be accepted as proof of receipt.
5. The tickets are not transferable, re-saleable or exchangeable. There is no cash alternative. The winner and attendee must be able to get to and from The Saturdays exclusive gig at the Forum in Kentish Town, London. If the winner or attendee is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian (over 21), must accompany them to, from and at the gig. To enter the gig, ticket holders must be at least 14 years old. The Promoter reserves the right to verify age of all ticket holders and refuse entry at the gig. The Promoter reserves the right to check that a parent or guardian (over 21) is present in a winners' group if one or more in the party is under 18. Anyone under the age of 18 who is attending the gig must have the permission of their parent(s) or guardian(s) to do so.
6. All winners will each be responsible for their own travel costs to attend The Saturdays gig and accommodation costs in London.
7. All entries will become the property of the Promoter. In consideration of the right to enter the Competition, each entrant automatically grants to the Promoter an irrevocable, non-exclusive, royalty-free, world-wide licence for the full period of copyright to use, reproduce, alter, adapt or sub-licence their entry in any media in perpetuity.
8. All prizes are subject to availability. In the event of unforeseen circumstances the Promoter reserves the right to substitute the prizes for alternatives of equal or greater value.
9. The Promoter shall not be liable for any loss, damage or consequential damage of any nature in contract, tort (including negligence) or otherwise caused by acceptance of the terms and conditions or in connection with the prizes (except to the extent that death or any personal injury occurs as a result of the negligence of the Promoter).
10. The Promoter reserves the right at its sole discretion to disqualify or withdraw the prize of any entrant found to be tampering with the voting process for the Competition or to be acting in any manner deemed by the promoter to be in violation of the Terms and Conditions.
11. To claim their prize, winners must confirm their attendance and names of their friends attending. If the prize is unclaimed after this time, it will lapse and the Promoter reserves the right to offer the unclaimed prize to a substitute winner selected in accordance with these Impulse Promotion rules.
12. The winners' details (name and county) will be made available on request to those writing to "The Impulse Promotion, Mindshare UK Ltd, 40, Strand, London WC2N5RF" within ten weeks after the closing date, enclosing an SAE. Each entrant consents to the use of their personal details in accordance with this clause.
13. Winners may be required to participate in publicity arising from the Impulse Promotion.
14. By entering the Impulse Promotion, all entrants will be deemed to have accepted and be bound by the rules and consent to the transfer of their personal data to the Data Controller for the purposes of the administration of this Promotion and any other purposes to which the entrant has consented. All entry instructions form part of the rules.
15. The Promoter reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions at any point during the Promotion if circumstances outside our control make this unavoidable. Any amendments will be explained at the top of these Terms and Conditions.
16. These terms and conditions shall be governed by English law and the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction.
17. Prize draw is open to UK residents only.
18. Competition prize includes three tickets to an exclusive Saturdays performance on December 7, 2009 in London for each winner (two winners in total). No travel or accommodation is included. You MUST be able to get to London on December 7, 2009. No alternative prize will be offered if winner is unavailable.
19. One entry per PopSugar Community member.
20. The winning UK residents will be drawn at random on Monday 30 November, 2009.
Promoter and Data Controller: Unilever UK Limited, Unilever House Springfield Drive Leatherhead KT22 7GR

Good luck!

Dior's Personalized Lip Imprint Promotion

FabSugar — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 09:38:52 -0700

Dior Cosmetics is running a really cute promotion at their Bloomingdale's beauty counters until Oct. 21. Called "Sealed With A Kiss," the promotion creates a personalized electronic lip imprint for you, which you can use on email messages to "seal" them with a kiss from your actual lip print.

This promotion is free when you purchase one of the new Rouge Dior Lipsticks, available in 24 gorgeous shades. After a stylist helps you choose the most suitable color for your complexion, you simply kiss a postcard covered in a sheer, plastic velum, which then gets sent away to a company that turns it into an electronic image for you. It will be sent you via e-mail in about two weeks and you can use your very own kiss as your e-mail signature, wallpaper, and so on. Plus, this lipstick is fabulous, with a new extra-long wearing, moisture-rich, and super-shiny formula. It contains a light amplifier, inspired by movie sets, to make your lips look very bright. Dior has also given the lipsticks brand-new packaging. (I'm such a sucker for packaging). You can buy it here for $24.

Would You Jump Through This Hoop For a Promotion?

SavvySugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 06:30:28 -0700

The other day PetSugar shared a story with me about her ex-employer who was notorious for putting employees through hoops. In this particular case, there was a position open that would be considered a step up, and the office required workers to apply and interview for a move rather than simply offer a promotion.

One of her coworkers was vacationing on the East Coast and when he got wind of the open position, he expressed interest in the job. Rather than allow the employee (who had been working for them for more than two years) to interview when he returned from his trip, the employer said he had to buy a web-cam and interview while on vacation.

Pet's co-worker purchased the equipment and ended up getting the job. Would you have bought the web-cam if you were in his position?

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Ashley and Kellan Wrap Up Work on Record-Setting New Moon

PopSugar — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:52:00 -0800

After all of last week's excitement over New Moon, Ashley Greene and Kellan Lutz still had some final work and travel to do. She headed to Woodridge, IL for one more screening of their film on Friday, while Kellan took off from NYC to LAX following their late night out celebrating. Ashley, Kellan and all their costars got a very pleasant surprise this weekend when their movie broke all sorts of box office records, but after all their hard work they should be ready for some relaxation.

To see more of Ashley and Kellan, just read more.

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