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What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 05 May 2009 06:30:03 -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. In addition to my selections below, you can also check out Incendiary, Jon & Kate Plus Ei8ht: Season 4, and the second season of Lipstick Jungle on DVD.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett star in this curious tale of a child born as an old man, based loosely on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Using groundbreaking (and really cool) special effects, David Fincher directs this epic that follows the life of one man who grows up (and young) as an outsider.

I fell for the improbable romance between Benjamin (Pitt) and his normally-aging love, Daisy (Blanchett). Plus, when you stick both photogenic stars in gorgeous period costumes it becomes a feast for the eyes.

Special features include interviews with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, audio commentary featuring David Fincher, footage revealing the techniques behind the visual effects and makeup, and a step-by-step examination of the motion-capture process used to age Brad Pitt.

72 %

Two more up next, so read more.

Last Chance Harvey
Last Chance Harvey features two of cinema's most esteemed living actors: Dustin Hoffman plays Harvey, an aging pianist and Emma Thompson plays Kate, a woman who works at the airport. The two meet in an airport restaurant when Harvey travels to London for his estranged daughter's wedding.

They spend a pleasant day together - a surprise for both of them - and Harvey insists Kate accompany him to his daughter's reception. They are smitten with each other, but in the end Kate must decide if she truly wants to trust in love again. This movie is actually a pretty sweet pick if you're looking for something to watch with your mom this Mother's Day weekend.

Special features include the making of Last Chance Harvey, audio commentary with writer/director Joel Hopkins, and the trailer.

71%

Wendy and Lucy
Oh, man. Sad stories about dogs kill me but I still went ahead and saw this movie when it was out in theaters. The quiet little film, directed and co-written by indie darling Kelly Reichardt, effectively captures the bitter realities and melancholy that exist for those who live at or below the poverty lines, and on the edges of our society.

Michelle Williams plays Wendy Carroll, a young woman living out of her car who has her sights set on a job at an Alaska cannery. Things take a heartbreaking turn when her car breaks down in Oregon and her adorable dog, Lucy, goes missing. Williams' performance is incredible, and it's worth the doggy-related sad feelings you have to endure.

Special features include a collection of four experimental gems from the Film Faculty at Bard College, curated by director Kelly Reichardt.

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Michelle's Indie Flick Hits The UK

PopSugarUK — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 06:01:00 -0800

Michelle Williams and her daughter Matilda were wearing matching brown boots as they strolled through chilly New York this week. Her film Wendy and Lucy is released in the UK tomorrow, and has received some great buzz, especially for Michelle's performance in the leading role. So, check out the trailer below and let me know what you think.

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Wendy and Lucy: Pretty, Poignant, Kinda Boring

BuzzSugar — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:45:36 -0800

As a simple story about a young woman having a hard time of it, Wendy and Lucy is a bit irritating at times. But after viewing this quiet little movie directed and co-written by indie darling Kelly Reichardt, I sat with it and mulled it over for a few weeks. Only then did I realize how effective it is at capturing the bitter realities and melancholy that exists for those who live at or below the poverty lines and on the edges of our society.

It's certainly a downer - but a superbly rendered downer that may ultimately be seen as a cinematic snapshot of the times we're living in. Reichardt and her star, the impressive Michelle Williams, succeed at capturing a certain downtrodden vibe that's in the air nowadays and for that I can forgive it for being, well, boring. To see where I think it soars and where it stumbles, just read more.

You'll likely hear a lot of buzz around Williams's performance and it's deserved. She plays the role of Wendy, a sullen young woman living in her car as she makes her way across the country on her way to Alaska where she's heard there are jobs to be had. The movie opens in a small Oregon town where Wendy becomes stranded. It's near the end of Wendy's odyssey, evidenced by her dwindling cash pile and the breakdown of her car. Williams effortlessly portrays this young woman, about whom we know so little, in such a sympathetic way, you can't help but feel for her. We watch her encounter one disaster after another (including losing her adorable companion, Lucy the dog) and her frustration is palpable.

Reichardt takes full advantage of the Northwest setting, giving the movie a lush green but gritty realism which enhances the minimalist plot. Oh, and what little plot there is. I do wonder if the movie would have felt as real if some more detail and background were added to the character of Wendy herself. We're forced to get by with little hints here and there about who this girl is and how she got into such a terrible predicament through things like a quick pay phone call to a family member and small discussions here and there with a kindly security guard.

Wendy is a drifter, a free spirit with no clear place in our society. She doesn't really want to find success somewhere and she seems pissed off about it. Admittedly, I left the movie with a brain full of frustrating questions like, "But how does one so young and promising end up in her car with dog miles away from home? How does a young lady like that get it in her head the only jobs to be had are in Alaska? Where are her parents? Where are her friends?" But I suppose that's probably the point.

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Michelle Williams Brings Her Puppy Love to Hollywood

PopSugar — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:30:00 -0800

Michelle Williams wore a LBD to the 2008 American Film Institute premiere of Wendy and Lucy in Hollywood on Saturday. Michelle also premiered the film in NYC in September and her costar Lucy, the dog, already won an award at Cannes earlier this year. Michelle has been hard at work promoting her many movies before she gets ready to take a year off. Looks like Spike Jonze skipped out on joining Michelle at her red carpet event this time around but as things continue to get more serious with the couple it's wonderful to see the actress glowing and happy in her success.

To see more photos of Michelle at the premiere just read more.

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Images include: Michelle Williams, Kelly Reichardt

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Heath Ledger's Family Gives His Estate to Matilda

PopSugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:00:00 -0700

Michelle Williams looked lovely at the premiere of Wendy and Lucy at the Ziegfeld Theater in NYC on Saturday night. We've enjoyed seeing her all Summer in Brooklyn with Matilda and her new relationship with Spike Jonze, but she's still honoring Heath's memory as the first donor to his scholarship fund. Elsewhere, Heath's father says that the family has decided to gift Heath's entire estate to Matilda since his Will was written before her birth and left everything to his parents and sisters. Sounds like his family did the right thing making sure Matilda is taken care of as she grows up.

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Breaking News: Lucy, the Lucky Palm Dog Winner at Cannes!

PetSugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 12:00:23 -0700

Four paws up to the super cute canine, Lucy, this year's lucky Palm Dog winner at Cannes! This mixed-breed pooch is part hunting dog and part retriever and was lucky enough to star alongside Michelle Williams in Wendy and Lucy. From what I can tell, the pup plays a major role in the film that follows their journey to Alaska, where Wendy hopes for a Summer of lucrative work at the fish cannery . . . until her car breaks down in Oregon, that is. Learn who accepted this award on her behalf when you read more.

It seems that Lucy was unable to receive today's award in person . . . errr, in dog . . . because she lives in Queens, NY so her diamante collar award was received by owner, and film director, Kelly Reichardt. However, there were plenty of new pictures of another pooch (who looks suspiciously close to that famed pup, Frank, from Men in Black). Now the original Palm Dog spokespup, Muttley, passed away last month so I wonder if this smooshy is taking his celebripup place for this ceremony?! Only time will tell but check out the fab beachside photoshoot with this puggy lad! I don't know who he is, but he sure is adoro!

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Michelle Loves a Window Into People's Lives

PopSugar — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:00:09 -0800

Michelle Williams bundled up and did some reading while walking around NYC yesterday. The actress and her films have been getting a lot of buzz with award season around the corner, earning a few Independent Spirit nominations already and tomorrow could bring some Golden Globe recognition. In a recent interview Michelle talked about her movie Wendy and Lucy and what it meant to her. She said:

"It's a gift to be able to work in the exact way that you have always wanted to. I feel really lucky. The performances aren't performances, they're just like a documentary, you feel like you are spying on people, and that has always been the kind of filmmaking that I like... Personally I like seeing those kinds of movies. I find them comforting because they make me feel less alone."

Michelle's had a tough year, but she's looking on the bright side as she gets closer with Spike, concentrates on Matilda, and keeps Heath's memory in her heart.

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Movie Preview: Michelle Williams in Mammoth

BuzzSugar — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 10:30:38 -0800

Sometimes it's still hard to believe that Michelle Williams was once Jen Lindley on Dawson's Creek. She's completely broken out of that mold with her ongoing string of indie films like Wendy and Lucy and Synecdoche, New York, and now comes yet another dark choice to add to her resume.

Williams stars opposite Gael Garcia Bernal in the upcoming drama, Mammoth, which follows a young family whose world begins to crumble after a few bad decisions. Leo (Bernal) is a website mogul off on a trip to Thailand, Ellen (Williams) is his doctor wife, and the film spotlights their daughter's nanny, Gloria, as well. Judging by the trailer, things begin to implode after Leo goes to a club and takes up with a prostitute - and everyone, even Gloria, feels the consequences.

I'm already mentally preparing myself for Mammoth. Thanks to its global, interconnected stories set up, I'm thinking it will be on the same intensity scale as a Babel or Crash. (Which means it's probably a downer that I'll need to decompress from later). Still, that sort of riveting drama can make for a great watch - albeit stressful - and Williams and Bernal's performances look exceptionally good in this one. It comes to theaters November 20, but watch the trailer and tell me if you agree with my assessment when you read more.

2009 Independent Spirit Awards: Michelle Williams

BellaSugar — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 14:16:52 -0800

Quick, someone get me the name of Michelle Williams' colorist, stat! There's something so alluring about her blonde hair, and this style is soft on her face. Well-groomed eyebrows, a slightly glossy lip, and l-o-n-g eyelashes complete the look. It's a far cry from her down-and-out character in Wendy and Lucy. Do you love this laid-back glamour or is it not your favorite look for Michelle?

Vote on all of my
Independent Spirit Awards polls here!

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Michelle and Matilda Skip Their Way Through the Winter Weather

PopSugar — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 09:00:00 -0800

Michelle Williams and her daughter Matilda were out for one of their routine walks in Brooklyn with a friend on Friday afternoon. Matilda kept the adults entertained with her skipping, though pretty soon she might trade the streets of NYC for those of LA. Michelle is nominated for an award at next Saturday's Independent Spirit Awards for her role in Wendy and Lucy. It's been a quite award season for her so far so we're hoping she heads west to make an appearance on the blue carpet.

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