BuzzSugar

What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 09:30:00 -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 the titles below you can view the thriller We Own the Night starring Joaquin Phoenix and Mark Wahlberg. Also on DVD today is Romance and Cigarettes, a musical that's definitely not for the High School Musical set.

Gone Baby Gone
For his directorial debut, Ben Affleck brings together a talented ensemble cast that includes his brother Casey Affleck, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris and Amy Ryan. The film is set in the Affleck brothers' hometown of Boston and is adapted from a novel by the author of another dark Boston tale, Mystic River.

Casey plays Patrick Kenzie, a private detective hired to help bring home a missing 4-year-old girl. In the process, he discovers a complex and disturbing underworld based on the broken dreams of families living in one of the country's toughest neighborhoods.

Relative newcomer Amy Ryan earned herself an Oscar nomination for her portrayal as the little girl's drug addict mother, and our very own Boston native Molly really enjoyed this heart wrenching flick so it's a pretty safe bet for your Netflix queue.

A little depressing? Two more lovey titles are next so read more.

No Reservations
It's often the charming, warmhearted little films like No Reservations that slip off peoples' radars in the summer movie season due to the noise that giant big-name mega-blockbusters make that time of year. If you missed this sweet romance starring Catherine Zeta Jones and Aaron Eckhart I highly recommend warming up some delicious treats and settling in for the night with this movie that I really enjoyed.

Based on the the German film Mostly Martha, the movie follows a hard-hearted top chef, Kate (Zeta Jones) whose sister dies suddenly, leaving Kate's little niece (an adorable Abigail Breslin) now resting in her care. As Kate struggles to adapt to parenthood, she also soon finds herself involved with the new chef in her kitchen (Eckhart). Special features include a Marc Summers visit to the set to talk to the film's stars for an episode on his Food Network Series.

Why Did I Get Married
Tyler Perry sets aside his alter-ego Madea, but preserves his keen ability to create relatable characters in this drama exploring the ins and outs of married life. The movie stars Perry himself, along with Malik Yoba, Sharon Leal, Michael Jai White, Denise Boutte, Lamman Rucker and music hit-makers Janet Jackson and Jill Scott.

Based on one of Perry's plays, Why Did I Get Married? follows a group of married friends that gather in a mountaintop resort to confront their various marital issues. Perry's trademark melodrama and preachiness combined with a more serious subject matter proved to be a very potent mix that really hit home with audiences.

We Own the Night: Hardly New York's Finest

BuzzSugar — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 07:30:00 -0700

I wandered into We Own the Night expecting stellar performances that would rescue an otherwise so-so movie. And though the movie was definitely so-so (really, a few notches below), I can't blame the actors. After all, the script - riddled with clichés and sorely lacking any dramatic tension - didn't give the typically talented performers anything to work with.

Set in late '80s Brooklyn and Queens, We Own the Night stars Joaquin Phoenix as Bobby Green, the manager of a wildly popular mega-club. His real name is Grusinsky, and his dad, Burt (Robert Duvall), and brother Joseph (Mark Wahlberg) are devoted servants of the NYPD. But taking up his mother's maiden name keeps Bobby's background from interfering with his hobbies, such as recreational cocaine use and hanging with his hot girlfriend, Amada (Eva Mendes).

But guess what? Dad and Joseph are investigating a drug ring run by a Russian mobster who frequents Bobby's club, and they want Bobby to help smoke him out. The plot reads vaguely like The Departed, but the similarities end there, so read more

Bobby has no interest in being a rat, until his brother is shot and injured by the mobsters. Then he decides to go undercover to capture the bad guy, and the action unfolds from there.

Unlike The Departed and many other gripping police dramas, We Own the Night is neither gripping nor dramatic. The familial bonds that are supposedly so central to the story are hardly felt, since we learn very little about the characters or their motivations. The plot progresses in a very predictable arc, and for anyone who doesn't find it predictable, there is a lot of obvious foreshadowing to help us along.

Mostly, the movie, though unconventional, is disappointingly dull; it feels like an amateur filmmaker trying to make a serious movie. Thankfully, a few elements rise above mediocrity: Director James Gray does an excellent job of visually capturing the bleak but indulgent mood of the New York drug scene in 1988, and a climactic car-chase scene through the blinding rain is expertly crafted. Otherwise, We Own the Night comes dangerously close to made-for-TV fare.

Photos courtesy of Sony Pictures

Eva, Joaquin & Mark Own the Night in NYC

Molly — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 12:33:22 -0700

Mark and Joaquin were handsome on the red carpet, but Eva Mendes stole the show in white at last night's We Own The Night premiere in NYC. I mean, she was almost upstaged by Joaquin's metallic suit (someone got Adrien's memo!) and Mark's manjoyment-ness, but in the end her million dollar smile won. Many of Mark's recent movies deal with crime and crooked cops (and he himself is no stranger to the justice system), but in real life being a dad is the most important thing these days. He said, "Being a father keeps me focused and reminds me to not break the law. I'd like to work here and there, but I don't want to work to put food on the table. The focus has been on me long enough. My kids are the priority." Awww, he's come a long way from the Funky Bunch. We Own The Night comes out this Friday so check back at the end of the week to read Buzz's review of the film.

To see the rest from the premiere including Adam Goldberg, Robert Duvall, Beth Ostrosky, Rain Phoenix and more just read more

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Images include Adam Goldberg, Alicia Witt, Beth Ostrosky, Eva Mendes , Jewel, Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg, Marley Shelton, Robert Duvall, Ty Murray and Rain Phoenix.

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Fall Movie Preview: Bad Boys

BuzzSugar — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 08:15:00 -0700

We may not be getting the crisp fall weather just yet, but we are getting previews for tons of movies opening in the fall. In preparation for this autumn and winter at the theaters, I've broken up the lengthy list of upcoming movies into many small themes for my Fall Movie Preview series. This way, you'll be in the know when the chillier months roll around, bringing a whole new crop of new films. Today's list of upcoming titles features some men behaving badly - and some good guys - and all of them looking very nice all the while.

Shoot 'Em Up
If you've been reading Buzz in recent months you know that I've been breathlessly awaiting the release of this movie which stars Clive Owen and Paul Giamatti. Luckily, there's not much more waiting to go since Shoot 'Em Up opens September 7. My Comic-Con correspondent Phasekitty got to see some scenes from the movie while in San Diego and this is what she reported back: "t is some of the most exciting action I've seen in a long time; very similar to the Transporter series, though with a new comedic element. Clive Owen's character is protecting a woman and a child from a hit man (Paul Giamatti), and spends most of the action sequences out-shooting people with one hand and carrying the infant baby in the other." Granted, I will watch Clive Owen do just about anything, so it's all the more enticing when I get to see him kicking butt and saving babies. Check out the awesomely done trailer here.

Eva and Joaquin Own the Night

Molly — Sat, 26 May 2007 09:24:51 -0700

As we mentioned with the photocall pics, it's so great to see Joaquin Phoenix with a smile on his face. He just lights up! Very cute, a far cry from his Walk the Line brooding. As for Eva, she glows no matter what she's wearing, but she looked especially stunning at the premiere of their movie, We Own the Night. When asked about filming her very first on screen sex scene with one Mr. Phoenix, Eva had this to say:

"I wasn't comfortable at all. They were very sweet and they poured me a vodka and orange juice and then I was fine. I'm very professional and I don't usually drink on the job but that morning I had a little vodka and OJ."...Asked if it helped to think it was her character and not her up there, Mendes said: "My boob is still my boob." She paused, then added: "Wow, that sounded really stupid."

First sex scene ever alongside Joaquin? Not a bad gig. Unfortunately Cannes is winding down, but hopefully there will be at least one more big party to bring all these beautiful folks together. Or at the very least a little more Joaquin? Is that too much to ask?

To see more pics from the premiere, including more of Joaquin and goregous Eva, plus Robert Duvall just read more

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Joaquin Gets An Honorable Mention

PopSugar — Fri, 25 May 2007 09:57:35 -0700

Joaquin Phoenix was looking pretty darn cute at a photocall for his new movie, We Own the Night at Cannes. The movie, which also stars Eva Mendes and a sadly absent Mark Wahlberg, is about two brothers who get involved with the Russian mafia. At one point Eva and Joaquin were battling on-set dating rumors even though she has had a long time boyfriend. We could understand the temptation but unfortunately, we're sad to report Joaquin didn't make it on to BuzzSugar's Boys of Summer List. It's pretty hard to compete with Johnny & Orlando but we'd like to give him an honorable mention.

More pics of the cast getting silly, so just read more

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Joaquin Supports Non-Violence (Off the Big Screen)

PopSugar — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 14:58:46 -0800

Yesterday, Joaquin attended a press conference to reintroduce the Department of Peace and Nonviolence Bill. Joaquin may be a staunch activist in his free time, but his film choices don't always reflect his peace-loving beliefs. That is, unless his next film, We Own The Night, co-starring Mark Wahlberg about the Mob in NY is somehow violence-free. For some reason we're thinking that's not the case.

For more pics, including an almost unrecognizable Amy Smart, just read more

Also pictured are Frances Fisher and Jimmy DeMers.

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Fash Off: Lady Gaga vs. Rihanna

OnSugar Blog — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:22 -0800

Take this fun poll from the OnSugar blog The Fash Pack.

Both Lady Gaga and Rihanna have albums dropping Monday, and both fashion-forward singers took to the stage at Sunday night's American Music Awards. Whose stage style wins you over?

Want to see more? Follow The Fash Pack or start your own OnSugar Blog. We may just feature your post on FabSugar!

Marcia Cross Gives Thanks Early This Year

babysugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:30:53 -0800

Known as the buttoned-up and tightly wound kitchen queen on Desperate Housewives, Marcia Cross appears to be quite the opposite when seen about town toting her two tots to the local playground for a swing in the park or a roll in the grass. Though the multitasking mum certainly has her hands full and plenty of mouths to feed in her own home, the drama mama took time out of her Sunday afternoon to dish on motherhood, balancing a career, her fortunate life and how she gives back to the community.

How do you teach your children about giving back?

I have to be very honest and say that I'm in this very strange interim of wanting the world to seem like this perfect lovely place because they're 2-and-a-half... to then introducing them to the idea that other people have less. It's going to start soon, I think around the holidays. The way I try to do it is in simple ways. I have things in the house and I say, "Why don't we give this to so and so?" And I will say somebody else's child and "If you're finished with that, why don't you give that to so and so?" I've noticed that they'll come up with that on their own now, which makes me so happy... I can't yet go to the place where there are other kids that are hungry... maybe in another year. I don't know exactly. I think just teaching empathy and then teaching giving in that sort of way is how I've started and hopefully it will grow from there in terms of how lucky we are... We say Grace and we say prayers at night. Prayers to me is just sitting around and saying what you're grateful for. One answer that my daughter Eden says all the time, which I love, is "Outside," which is such a beautiful thing to say thank you for, which we take for granted.

What kinds of things do the girls do to make you laugh?

My girls are really funny. They're actually little jokesters. They do twists on words already, or I call them my little minxies. They dance, they do imitations of other kids dancing, they make up songs, they make up lyrics. It's all so silly but I think every mother just adores their own child and I'm the same way. They make me laugh all the time.

To see what the striking redhead has to say about balancing motherhood and her career, her character Bree, and what she is most thankful for, read more.

Are there any similarities between Bree and Marcia Cross?

Wow. I wish there were more because she's so organized and such the domestic diva, which I am not. But I think in her own twisted way, Bree has a big heart and a passion for life. Although, I'm thinking about what she's doing right now and we don't have that in common... she's having a little extra passion right now (giggle). At the moment, I'm going to say there's a little less in common than more.

How do you raise your kids and have a career?

I think some days I do it more gracefully than others. And other days it takes its tolls. Like any parent, I go through times where things are going great and then I have a week where both of my daughters are sick and so I'm trying to juggle work and home-life and it's hard and it's stressful and I think it would be unrealistic to say otherwise. I think that mothers manage an incredible workload. Whether you're a stay-at-home mother or you have a job as well, it's a very full life and certainly one that I dreamed about and always wanted. And even given that there are days that are challenging, because you can only be in so many places at once... whether it's at work or with your kids, or sometimes you just really want a nap so it's a full-time job.

What are you thankful for?

Health. Health of my family, health of my friends, health of my parents, who thank God, are still with me. I'm grateful that I have a family that I always dreamed about. I'm grateful for the job that I have. I get to do what I love. I'm grateful that I get the opportunity to be a spokesperson for things I feel are important.

This Thanksgiving, Marcia is encouraging all Facebook mommies to go to My Chinet's Facebook page where they can pick a plate, decorate it and show it on their profile page. By doing this, mommy will feed her soul and donate to the cause of filling someone else's stomach this holiday season.

Does Renting an Extravagance Still Satisfy?

SavvySugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:45:13 -0800

We rent apartments, cars, and DVDs, but as pop culture continues to influence our lifestyle, even couture is now available to rent. Sure we can't all afford the designer duds cropping up on couture runways from here to Paris, but as the New York Times reports, the recessionistas among us have found another way to get their hands on the coveted - and pricey - merchandise.

Modeled after the "rent-by-web" model, the new site, Rent the Runway, offers clothes from design houses like DvF, Heve Leger, and Catherine Malandrino, to name a few, for anywhere from $50 to $200 dollars for a four-night stay in your very own closet - even dry-cleaning's included in the cost of rental.The only downside, of course, is that fact, that after a couple nights of dancing in your designer number, you'll be forced to pack it up and send it right back.

It's a pretty innovative way to give us the chance - or at least, the illusion - of having it all. Still, I'm wondering does it make a difference to you if you know you don't own the item? Does renting the couture make it feel any less special or is the concept a smart way to give women a luxurious experience without the luxury price tag?