PopSugar

Buzz In: Which Animated Movie Is Most Oscar-Worthy?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:30:37 -0800

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences issued a press release today, announcing that 20 films have been submitted for Best Animated Film consideration at this year's Oscars. This means there could be five movies competing at the awards show in March. (In the history of the category, there have typically been only three.) So who is up for the honor?

Some are obvious choices. Up, for example, comes as no surprise thanks to its huge accolades. I also think Coraline stands a chance, as well as Fantastic Mr. Fox (look for my review on Friday!). But Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel seems like a long shot - even though it hasn't hit theaters yet, so I'm just making an early prediction. (Sorry, Alvin.)

With 10 movies in the Best Picture category, I wouldn't be surprised if some of these films end up with more than one nomination. Check out the full list of animated film contenders, and tell me which you think is most deserving of an Oscar when you read more.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Astro Boy
Battle For Terra
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
Coraline
Disney's A Christmas Carol
The Dolphin – Story of a Dreamer
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Mary and Max
The Missing Lynx
Monsters vs. Aliens
9
Planet 51
Ponyo
The Princess and the Frog
The Secret of Kells
Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
A Town Called Panic
Up

The Gifted Mama: Presents For a Mother-to-Be

babysugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:00:07 -0800

It's hard to find anyone more deserving of pampering this holiday season than the expectant mother. Before she welcomes a babe into her arms, the bumpalicious lady will appreciate being gifted with these generous gifts.

A gift certificate to a prenatal massage will help mommy relax while giving the baby some motion in the amniotic ocean. Help the mommy keep her picture perfect tummy with the Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Butter. She'll be able to tell you all about her pregnancy but her stomach will have no signs of the nine months. Give her a head start on her postpartum meals with a gift certificate to a meal delivery service. She won't be able to thank you enough for the ability to sit back and eat instead of stewing over the stove. And if you're feeling really lavish, treat the pregnant lady to a digital Nikon camera. The photo quality is delicious and she can snap away at her new beauty all day long.

Which Motion Pictures Awards Look Is Most Fab?

FabSugar — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 02:33:33 -0800

Awards season is upon us - the Motion Pictures Awards provided yet another reason for Hollywood ladies to dress up. Susan Sarandon's girl Eva Amurri opted for a simple berry color dress; Anne Hathaway looked feathery in Chanel; Amy Adams showed some shoulder in Giambattista Valli; Salma Hayek did ombre in Yves Saint Laurent; and Heather Graham lit up the carpet in a red halter maxi. Each stayed true to her style, but which Motion Pictures look dazzled the most?

Source

House Season 6 Premiere Rundown: "Broken"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:46:36 -0700

After an entire Summer without House, you can believe I was ready for last night’s two-hour premiere. With House checked in to an asylum, we knew season six was taking us in to new territory.

From the start they let us know that this was not your typical episode. If the removal of Massive Attack's opening music, replaced with Radiohead's "No Surprises" wasn't enough to tip you off, then maybe the washed-out, dream-like detox scene was. Did you watch, and are you ready to discuss? Find out some of the things I'm dying to talk about (spoilers ahead!), when you read more.

Where was the medical mystery? I have to admit, while I loved this episode, I kept waiting for the medical mystery. Every time Annie (the catatonic cello player) was on screen, I would think, "Oh he's going to solve this, surely she must have some rare disease." Then after superhero Steve becomes catatonic, I figured the same thing. And when neither of those panned out, I thought it would be Dr. Nolan's father who would be saved. However once the clock started ticking down, it dawned on me. This is the episode where the person who gets saved is House.
What did you think of the dynamic between House and Nolan? I think Andre Braugher is the perfect foil to House. Their dynamic seems so real, and I love that he essentially blackmails House into getting better and thwarts his attempts to trick Wilson.
Speaking of Wilson, did you notice that he is the only other cast member to appear? Did you miss the rest of the cast, or were you fine with the new faces? Do you think any of these faces will show up again? I think it would be a treat if Alvie turned up at Princeton Plainsboro with a rap for our favorite diagnostic team.
While the tone of the episode is admittedly dark, two of my favorite moments had to be when House and superhero Steve are flying at the carnival, and when House joins Alvie on stage for the talent show. I don't think we've ever seen House smiling unless it's to cause the frustration of someone else. How about you, what was your favorite scene?
How important do you think House's relationship with Lydia (Franka Potente) is? Do you think House would have been "cured" had she not been there?
Now for another somber moment. Were you also tricked into thinking superhero Steve actually died? I was glad to hear that he's still alive. I don't think House (or myself) could've handled yet another death on the show.
There were a lot of great quotes during the evening. However, my favorite line of the night is when Alvie tells House that they broke him, and House replies with, "They didn’t break me - I am broken." What was your favorite line?
Do you think House has really been cured? Or do you think he'll be back to his old tricks and Vicodin pill-popping ways by next week's episode?

Really, there was so much to this week's episode. In fact, it felt like House the Motion Picture, and I think it did a great job in covering the gap between last season and this one. I have no idea where the writers are taking us, but if the rest of the season is as good as last night's premiere, we're in for a treat!

To meet more House fans and keep the discussion going, join the House Group on the BuzzSugar Community!

Photo courtesy of Fox

Oprah Joins Will, John and Sidney to Celebrate Tyler's Studio

PopSugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:00:00 -0700

Oprah Winfrey brought both Stedman Graham and Gayle King to the opening gala for Tyler Perry's new movie and TV studio in Atlanta on Saturday night. While Oprah is dealing with a defamation lawsuit from the former headmistress of her South African Girls school, it was the history-making event that had Oprah so emotional. Tyler is the first African-American to own his own studio and there were a few tears in the crowd as he took the stage to announce that he's named three sound-stages after the legendary actors Ruby Dee, Cecily Tyson and Sidney Poitier. Sidney was there to accept the honor, saying, "I spent 56 years making movies and this is the reward that I have that means the most to me." With a supportive crowd including Will Smith, John Legend and many others, it was truly an event worth celebrating.

To see 30 photos of the event, including Star Jones, Kirk Franklin and Patti LaBelle just read more

View 30 Photos ›

Images include: Eva Pigford, Lance Gross, John Legend, Kirk Franklin, Tammy Franklin, Erica Reid, Patti Labelle, LA Reid, Sidney Poitier, Tyler Perry, Gelila Bekele, Star Jones, Will Smith, Stedman Graham, Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King

Source and Source

Hotel Offers a Hangover-Themed Bachelor Party Package

TresSugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:00:00 -0700

I don't know if you've seen The Hangover, but I can't imagine aspiring to replicate the weekend those guys have, what with a live tiger in the bathroom, a live baby of mysterious origin, and a missing groom. But apparently, Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas thinks this pop culture reference will resonate with bachelors.

It's offering a Hangover-themed hotel package called Ultimate Hangover. Here's the sales pitch:

Some guys just can't handle Vegas, as demonstrated in the new motion picture The Hangover. But this town's easier to handle if you've got the tools to recover from a hangover of your own.

Forum Tower Royal suite? Check. (Also, checked for tigers.) Food to take the edge off? Check. Use your $50 Serendipity 3 food credit for the Hangover Omelet, loaded with bacon, French fries, mushrooms and cheddar. Hair of the dog? Check – use your $50 pool credit for a round of bloody Marys at the Garden of the Gods pool complex.

I'm not gonna argue with the power of a hangover omelet, but if that uses up the entire $50 food credit, those mushrooms had better be truffles. Still, I have to give them points for creativity. What amenities would you want after a wild weekend in Vegas?

Photos courtesy of Warner Bros.

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Brad Pitt!

LilSugar — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:30:18 -0700

America's favorite superstar is going superhero! Brad Pitt, a proud father of six - Maddox, 8, Pax, 5, Zahara, 4, Shiloh, 3, Vivienne, and Knox,1, - will take to the big screen as the voice of a Metro Man, in order to keep his kiddos happy.

Best known for his intense roles in major motion pictures, the talented dad will star in DreamWorks Animation's Oobermind with fellow parents, Tina Fey and Will Ferrell. With all it's star power, the film is likely to be a blockbuster and will be released in November 2010 so you can take your own children.

Increase the Challenge: Crunches on Exercise Ball

FitSugar — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 05:50:32 -0700

If the basic crunches on the fitness ball in my all abs workout are starting to feel less than challenging, don't ditch the exercise altogether - alter the move to make it harder. Here are some simple tweaks to tax your abs more while doing crunches on an exercise ball.

Bring your legs together. The closer together your legs are, the harder it is to keep balance on the ball, forcing your abs to work harder.
Slow it down. Curl up and lower on a slow count of three. This takes momentum out of the picture, so the work is all in your belly.

Learn three more variations.

All Aboard! Disney's Christmas Carol Train Tour

babysugar — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:00:03 -0700

All aboard the Christmas Carol Express! To promote their upcoming movie, A Christmas Carol, Disney has created a real-life locomotive experience for families that showcases graphic artwork, actor interviews, motion development, historical artifacts, and computer-generated characters from the motion picture.

Last Friday, I took my children out to see the moving exhibit, which stopped in Northern California. The train will make its way to New York before the film opens. A fan of locomotives, my daughter was fired up to set foot on the real deal. To set the mood, Disney provided fake snow flurries in July, which actually felt right for a Bay Area Summer morning. We gave the ticket handler our stubs and embarked on the stationary adventure that caters to kids.

To see what we found, read more.

As if in a museum, we were surrounded by beautiful art and items worthy of glass cases. Straight from the Charles Dickens Museum of London, the author's manuscripts and musical sheets sat untouched for curious eyes to purvey. Flat-screen televisions in gold-colored frames repeatedly played conversations with the film's creator Robert Zemeckis and stars Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, and Colin Firth. As Scrooge, Jim Carrey won't disappoint and the 3D graphics will have audiences cheering. In the next car, we discovered a dummy with motion sensors that explains to viewers how human motion translates into animation. A tad too mature for my daughter's brain, older kids (and adults) will find it fascinating. Along with the texts and illustrations, guests can pour over the costumes adorning busts throughout the railroad experience. Before the exit, kids can entertain themselves by turning their own face into one of the character's by stepping into an HP TouchSmart PC screen and capturing a self-portrait. After a simple click of a button, the tot evolves into Scrooge or Tiny Tim. Not to be forgotten, wee ones can see it again as mom and pop can have the image emailed straight to themselves.

Due out just before Christmas, this train is chugging across the country to provide tots a lil holiday spirit. If the Christmas Carol express is headed in your direction, it's worth the time to check it out. Get there early to avoid waiting in line! Check out the scheduled tour dates.

View 10 Photos ›

Galapagos Tortoises Are Messy Eaters!

PetSugar — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 06:00:12 -0700

Umm, someone's in need of a bib! This Galapagos Tortoise just finished a snack in the new 'Giant of the Galapagos' exhibit at the London Zoo and seems like his haste made some waste all over his little turtle chin. Oh well, let's not point fingers at this 70-year-old (!) animal who weighs about 440 pounds - after all Dirk's joined by two female tortoises (Dolly, 16, and Dolores, 14) in hopes of starting up a breeding program at the zoo.

I guess slow and steady only counts for their actual motion, so see more pictures of sloppy eaters, Dirk, Dolores, and Dotty when you read more.

View 7 Photos ›