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What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:30:00 -0800

There's a silver lining to TV shows going into reruns, and it's more time to watch movies! Happily, today there are a few highly-anticipated flicks, and I've gone through them to tell you What to Netflix. In addition to the three movies mentioned below, you can also catch Robert Pattinson's pre-Twilight dramedy How to Be.

Star Trek

This year's updated version of Star Trek turned the franchise on its head. With hot young things Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto in the beloved roles of Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock, the film completely changed the series' history so they could start over with a fresh new story.

It worked like gangbusters: the space-set action movie is clever, entertaining, and tons of fun. It manages to make a sex symbol out of a pointy-eared geek, whom I personally drooled over. The movie manages to pay respect to the original, so those fans are still happy, while pleasing folks who weren't fans of the first (like myself).

The DVD's got lots of extras, including deleted scenes, a special feature on casting and a gag reel.
95%

See two more movies releasing today when you read more.

Bruno

Sacha Baron Cohen's mockumentary follow up to 2006's wildly successful Borat, Bruno is more of the same: cringe-worthy setups that make for laughs. This time, though, the envelope that was pushed in the former is torn to pieces in the latter. It's not for the faint of heart or easily offended, but if you like Baron Cohen's humor, you'll appreciate the awkward-beyond-words situations.

I was torn - I wanted to laugh as hard as I did at Borat, but most of the time I was just wincing.

DVD extras include alternate and deleted scenes, as well as enhanced commentary.

67%

My Sister's Keeper

Need a good cry? Rent the tearjerker My Sister's Keeper. The drama stars Cameron Diaz as a mother presiding over her Leukemia-stricken daughter Kate, and the child they had in order to provide a kidney donor for Kate, Anna - who's played wonderfully by Abigail Breslin. When Anna sues her own parents for the rights to decide what to do with her own body, Diaz and her husband Jason Patric try to figure out what's really going with her.

I was definitely moved by the film, but you'd have to be made of stone not to, considering the subject matter. If you read the book, take heed: the ending in the film isn't exactly the same.

47%

Hollywood Halloween: 10 Costumes Inspired by This Year's Movies

BuzzSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:30:59 -0700

Still hunting for that perfect Halloween costume? Never fear, for I am willing to share some of my ideas with you, culled from this year's flicks. Everyone loves a good pop culture reference, and the best part is that these are super easy to put together last minute. From spooky to hilarious, there's a little something for everyone, so take a look.

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Leonard Nimoy Talks Tech, Star Trek 2, and Fringe

GeekSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:47:12 -0700

If you haven't been watching Fringe, you're missing out on a solid sci-fi thriller that will help fill a void where BSG left off. Sure, there's no space, but there are alternate universes . . . and Leonard Nimoy.

The original Spock made his appearance on the Fox series in last season's cliffhanger finale as William Bell, and will be gracing the screen again in tonight's episode. I can't tell you how excited I was to get an opportunity to talk to Leonard Nimoy himself in a conference call yesterday before his season two debut, but I'm sure you can imagine that I had to take a few deep breaths before dialing the number - come on, he's a geek legend!

Check out what Mr. Nimoy had to say about his sci-fi career, the state of the genre today, and what he's up to now when you read more.

G: Your body of work (even before Star Trek) leans heavily toward sci-fi, so I was wondering if you have always been a fan of the genre yourself?
LN: It's a good thing if you can find your niche as an actor. Back in 1951, I acted in my first science fiction project, which was probably not very well known (but I thought it was going to rocket me to stardom if you pardon my expression), and it was called Zombies of the Stratosphere. I was the third group of zombies that came to earth to take over earth's orbit, and it was a great project. But science fiction has been a fertile ground for the kind of work that I do, the kind of presence that I offer, and I'm grateful for the niche that science fiction has given me.

On if he's a "techie": I use a computer. I don't know if that qualifies me as a techie, but I'm pretty good on a computer!
On how he feels about the current state of the sci-fi genre on TV and film: I'm concerned about the positioning of story in terms of importance. When I see a lot of explosions and a lot of chases, I'm not terribly impressed. I think that there are three important elements that must be given priority position in science fiction (as well as any other kind of drama). The first is story, the second is story, and the third is story. If the story is compelling and interesting, all the other elements will find their place.
On other projects he's working on now: I'm doing a lot of photography work. That's one of my major creative outlets right now. I have an exhibition opening at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art next year that I'm really excited about.
On his relationship with J.J. Abrams and how he came into his role on Fringe: Well I first met him about three years ago when he first contacted me about the possibility of working together and I went to a meeting with him and some other production staff where they told me a very good, strong, and touching story about their feelings about Star TrekStar Trek series. I had a brilliant time working with them, so when they contacted me about working on Fringe - the same people, the same attitude, the same creativity - it was very enticing.
On if he'll be making a cameo in Star Trek 2: Frankly, I doubt that I'll be called upon again. I think I was useful in this last film to help bridge the original characters and the new cast, but with the new cast in place, I'm sure they'll move ahead with that. I don't see at the moment why they would need me, but I wouldn't hesitate if they asked.

Gorgeously Retro: How to Look Like Uhura on Star Trek

BellaSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:00:57 -0700

Though Zoe Saldana made a gorgeous Uhura in the latest Star Trek retread, there's really no replacing the original. Not only is Nichelle Nichols stunning, but her role was a huge barrier-breaker for African-American actresses, and she totally hooked it up with Captain Kirk (under alien mind control, of course). Her look never ceases to be foxy, either, and it's as perfect for Fall 2009 as it was for 1967 - in fact, designers stole a lot of this look for their collections this season. To find out how to get Uhura's intergalactic swingin' 60s look, just keep reading.

Star Trek to Re-Release in IMAX - Will You See It Again?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:30:00 -0700

This Friday, Paramount will re-release Star Trek in IMAX theaters for a two-week run. When the movie first opened, it only got a two-week IMAX run then as well, since IMAX theaters were needed for Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. More theaters didn't become available again "until Museum 2, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince were done with their consecutive runs."

IMAX or otherwise, Star Trek did extremely well for itself at the box office the first time around - do you think you'll watch it again? Or maybe for the first time? Or have you starred there, trekked that?

Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Glow-in-the-Dark Star Trek Pillows

GeekSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:10:49 -0700

Geeky pillows are kinda like geeky cakes - they hold a special place in the hearts of techies. But these Star Trek pillows, which were made by ldhenson, are in a league of their own.

Trekkies and techies alike will agree that these felt pillows are pretty exquisite - they are not only made with love by hand, but they actually glow in the dark. Which means you can enjoy them by day, and by night.

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Vintage Geek: An Original Series Star Trek Tricorder

GeekSugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 05:47:36 -0700

Hold onto your spacecraft seatbelts, trekkies, because Amazon has got quite the Star Trek treat for you. For only $45, you can get your hands on an authentic Tricorder role-play replica.

This battery-operated handheld communicator comes with working lights and sound effects taken from the original Star Trek and includes a removable scanner accessory for far away missions. Used by Star Trek's Starfleet to check out unfamiliar territories and take examinations of living things, the mid-23rd century Tricorder was a paramount item in Starfleet travels.

With 10 Slots, Should Star Trek Get a Best Picture Nomination?

BuzzSugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:30:24 -0700

Now that the Academy will be selecting 10 Best Picture Oscar nominees instead of five, it opens up the possibility for certain films to be recognized that otherwise might be passed over. So far this year a few movies have resonated with critics and audiences alike, and perhaps none as much as Star Trek. Do you think Star Trek is worthy of a Best Picture nomination?

Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Who Says Geeks Aren't Sexy? The Sexed Up Star Trek Corset

GeekSugar — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:06:16 -0700

It's not like Uhura's minidresses and gogo boots in the new Star Trek are making any statements about equal rights, but they're still light years more reserved than this Star Trek Corset, $200, from Etsy seller and apparent Trekkie EveningArwen.

I'm not saying I don't approve; I'm just saying that any males you sashay around while wearing this may need to be beamed away from you.

Up Soars at the Box Office

BuzzSugar — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 08:15:14 -0700

Pixar's Up had a great weekend at the box office, coming in at No. 1 with a whopping $68.2 million. That makes Up the third biggest Pixar debut ever (out of ten) behind The Incredibles and Finding Nemo. It's also worth noting that Up's debut bested Wall-E, which opened last year to $63.1 million.

Interestingly, this particular box office win "validates Disney’s decision to let its Pixar unit put creativity before commerce. Some Wall Street analysts . . . had predicted the film would have a difficult time attracting children because of its geriatric action hero." Hurray for putting story first!

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian continued to do well and scored second place over the weekend. Drag Me to Hell debuted at No. 3 followed by Terminator Salvation and Star Trek.

Image courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures