PopSugar

What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 09:30:00 PST

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

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 PDT

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

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 PDT

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

View 30 Photos ›

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

Source

Fall Movie Preview: Bad Boys

BuzzSugar — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 08:15:00 PDT

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.

More fall manjoyment ahead so

American Gangster
Speaking of good-looking men, Denzel Washington heads up this crime thriller about a man who came to rule the gang underworld in 1970s New York. Ridley Scott directs and the ever-sexy Chiwetel Ejiofor co-stars. Washington plays Frank Lucas, a loyal family man/leader of a crime ring in 1970s Harlem and Russell Crowe plays the roguish cop hotly pursuing Lucas. The chilling trailer makes me uneasy because Washington always seems like the kind, trustworthy type and this movie has him showing a much darker side. American Gangster opens November 2.

We Own the Night
The lukewarm reviews for We Own the Night all mostly say the same thing: the story's nothing to write home about, but the cast - especially Joaquin Phoenix and Mark Wahlberg - does an excellent job. The crime thriller screened at Cannes this year but didn't exactly wow people the way its filmmakers hoped. Wahlberg and Phoenix play brothers, one of whom is a cop (Wahlberg) and the other (Phoenix) is a shady guy involved in the Russian mafia. Questions of loyalty and trust undoubtedly come up. Eva Mendes also stars in this movie which opens October 12.

Cassandra's Dream
I recently brought you the trailer for Cassandra's Dream, Woody Allen's latest venture that stars Colin Farrell and Ewan McGregor. Another storyline featuring brothers with issues, Farrell and McGregor are south London brothers who are strapped for cash. When a seductive woman (Hayley Atwell) lures them into a life of crime, the two men are pitted against each other. Cassandra's Dream opens in the U.S. November 30.

The Hunting Party
The plot description for The Hunting Party is this: "A young journalist (Jesse Eisenberg), a seasoned cameraman (Terrence Howard) and a discredited journalist (Richard Gere) embark on an unauthorized mission to find the No. 1 war criminal in Bosnia. They find themselves in serious jeopardy when they are mistaken as a CIA hit squad and their target decides to come after them." So, I guess these boys aren't so much "bad" as they are unlucky. I love me some Terrence Howard, and I must admit that Richard Gere grew on me after seeing him in The Hoax, so I'm willing to give this movie a shot when it opens September 7.

Shoot 'Em Up, American Gangster and Hunting Party images source
Cassandra's Dream and We Own the Night images source

Eva and Joaquin Own the Night

Molly — Sat, 26 May 2007 09:24:51 PDT

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

View 12 Photos ›

Source

Joaquin Gets An Honorable Mention

PopSugar — Fri, 25 May 2007 09:57:35 PDT

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

View 17 Photos ›

Source

Joaquin Supports Non-Violence (Off the Big Screen)

PopSugar — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 14:58:46 PST

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

Also pictured are Frances Fisher and Jimmy DeMers.

View 10 Photos ›

Source

9 Ways to Earn Extra Cash When Money Is Tight

Wise Bread — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:51:58 PDT

I'm sure everyone can do with a little more cash in their wallets. Here are some great suggestions by Wise Bread for you to make extra money.

Even though I'm self-employed full-time, I'm always looking for new and exciting ways to make more money.

Earlier this year, I wrote a Wise Bread post on websites that can help you earn extra cash. More recently, I came across a blog post on Zaarly titled, "10 Ways to Make Money Without a Job." After reviewing the latter post, I thought it was time to revisit the topic and let you in on a few more ways to get paid.

The ideas that Zaarly presents are perfect for the unemployed or those who just want to pad their pockets a little more. In addition, there are moonlighting jobs that I do that I thought you should know about. Thus, if you're without a steady paycheck or you just want to build up a rainy-day stash, here are some of your options.

1. Offer Experiences to Strangers

I recently learned about a new site called Vayable, which allows people with specialized knowledge and talents, local info, and time on their hands to create experiences that others can purchase. It's basically a touring and activity company without the company. Anyone can join the site and set up an experience. For instance, the Kan Brothers offer motorcycle tours of San Francisco - which include helmet rental, a drink at a local hot spot, and a city map - for two to four people at $75 per person. In New York City, Kim G. is offering a personalized painting lesson for groups of two to six for a flat rate of $300; the experience includes acrylic paints; canvas board and supplies; studio space; wine, cheese, and crackers; and Kim’s undivided attention. Consider this tip if you're interested in joining Vayable: Browse the site to see what other people in your area are offering. By creating a unique experience that no one else has established, you have a better chance of getting booked.

Read on for more.

Ashley Madekwe Spills Her Ultimate Summer Shopping List

Hannah Weil — Thu, 24 May 2012 04:00:37 PDT

One season of Revenge later (did you see last night's finale?!) and we're totally addicted, not to mention completely smitten with the ever-adorable Ashley Madekwe. We know her best as the show's impeccably dressed Ashley Davenport, but the England-born actress is just as much of a style pro off screen, showcasing her styling expertise on her very own blog, Ring My Bell. Now she's dishing on her Summer must-haves and giving us an exclusive look at her ultimate seasonal shopping list. With a penchant for dip-dyed cutoffs, neoprene-injected jewels, and clear acetate shades, plus designer goodies from the likes of Proenza Schouler and Miu Miu, Ashley's list reads like a how-to in crafting cool-girl Summer style. Step inside for Ashley's awesome Summer essentials and why she's loving every piece.

Photo of Ashley Madekwe courtesy of Iddo Goldberg

Kanye West Shows PDA With Kim and Jay-Z Dances to B's Music at Big Cannes Premiere

Lauren Turner — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:49:35 PDT

Kanye West posed with a Balmain-clad Kim Kardashian at the Belvedere-sponsored premiere of his Cruel Summer in Cannes this evening. Jay-Z and Leonardo DiCaprio's pal Lukas Haas were also on hand for the event, which was Kanye's first at the Cannes Film Festival. Kanye said of the production, "It's actually kind of surreal seeing the film come to fruition right here. I can dream one day that this will be the way that one day people will watch movies. I want to change what entertainment experiences are like."

Kim and Kanye spent the day together in the South of France and stuck by each other's side for tonight's bash as well. We spotted them showing serious PDA and kissing throughout the party. Jay-Z, meanwhile, snacked on sushi and bobbed his head when the DJ played Beyoncé's "Love on Top." Some of Jay-Z's own jams provided the soundtrack for the big night as well.