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Movie Night: The Material Girl Turns 50!

BuzzSugar — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Madonna turning 50 is practically a holiday around here at Sugar HQ. I know one mega-fan here in the office who couldn't be more excited about the Queen of Pop's birthday. While many appreciate Madge's tremendous impact on popular music, I am equally appreciative of some of her movie roles. You'd think that Madonna's off-screen persona might overwhelm her characters onscreen, but that hasn't really been the case. I consider her a capable and engaging actress, and I've picked out a few of my favorite titles in her filmography. So, happy birthday Madonna — this Movie Night's for you!

Dick Tracy
I love that Netflix describes Madonna's character in this awesome '90s movie as the "seductive and sultry torch singer Breathless Mahoney." Dick Tracy was pretty much panned by critics, despite its star-studded cast. Regardless, the visual setting is vibrant, the costumes are neato, and to this day I still watch Madonna's performance of "Sooner or Later" and want to be her for Halloween.

For the other two Madonna movies on my list, just

Movie Night: The World of Dark Knight Director Christopher Nolan

BuzzSugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 08:30:46 -0700

Christopher Nolan is a director who initially made a huge splash with a little budget and not much celebrity star power. He's the director of The Dark Knight and the man responsible for resuscitating the Batman franchise. Not so long ago, he was an independent filmmaker, but after this weekend he'll probably be seen as one of the most influential creative forces in Hollywood. So who is the visionary behind the ~~mask~~ camera? Well, you could read this interesting New York Times profile, or you could let his work speak for itself by embarking on a Christopher Nolan Movie Night!

Memento
Try to remember back to 2000 — there was a lot of hype around a little movie about a guy suffering from short-term memory loss looking for the man who murdered his wife. Memento was a big deal and shot Nolan to the head of the class in the eyes of film critics and Hollywood bigwigs alike. Guy Pearce is mesmerizing as a man forced to tattoo himself to remember things, and the way the movie plays with time is chilling and mind-blowing.

Two more Nolan flicks to go so

Movie Night: Far-Off Destinations

BuzzSugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:30:04 -0700

I've been really inspired by traveling this week — both because of my own itch to go on an adventure and because I have a handful of friends who are either planning their honeymoon or enjoying it right now. As part of my travel urge, I got to thinking about movies that captured a culture and a country so well that they've made me add a new entry to my list of places I have vowed to visit. Come away with me on a mini-jaunt around the globe via this movie night!

Out of Africa
This Oscar-winning classic directed by the late Sydney Pollack starred Meryl Streep and an extremely dreamy Robert Redford, but the biggest star of the film is East Africa. The movie is loosely based on Karen Blixen's 1937 autobiography about her real-life journey to Kenya. The character based on Blixen enters a loveless marriage but then meets Redford's character, a local-game hunter, and an epic romance ensues. The movie was filmed on location and is breathtakingly beautiful. If this doesn't make you consider Africa as a travel destination, I don't know what will.

Two more glorious locations, so

Tax Season Movie Night: Money, Money, Money

BuzzSugar — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:30:27 -0700

Tax season is upon us and I know how stressful it can be to dig up receipts, fill out the forms and file the ol' taxes. Although my friend Savvy wouldn't be too happy to hear this, I have a bad habit of procrastinating and will find any reason to avoid doing my taxes. This year I have a new strategy: hold a money movie night with the following films and then do my taxes — no more excuses! It's a good plan because there are a lot of good lessons to learn from these movies, you know? OK, that's a lame rationalization, but hey, these movies are fun and might even convince you to stay away from white-collar crimes.

Trading Places
Just thinking about Trading Places makes me laugh, which is the perfect way to kick off a tax season movie night. Eddie Murphy stars alongside fellow funny man Dan Aykroyd in this film that poses the question: Does money make the man?

Louis Winthorpe III (Aykroyd) is a Harvard educated broker who has it all. Billy Ray Valentine (Murphy) is a street hustler angling for a dollar. When these two men switch places in society, all hilarity breaks loose. It's a wacky premise, but Murphy is hysterical and it's a funny peek at the ways in which money changes people.

Two more money movies, so

Christian Bale Movie Night: Serious Actor, Also in Newsies

BuzzSugar — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:29:58 -0800

Though he wasn't nominated for any awards, I believe some of the year's best performances have come from Christian Bale (3:10 to Yuma, Rescue Dawn), and I'm a little sad that he's missing from the red carpet. The man has been honing his craft since he was a wee child and has been working steadily for years since. To properly pay my respects to the talented Mr. Bale this awards season, I'm designating a Movie Night to him. It's hard to choose given his large body of work, but I dug out some gems. In addition to these titles, he also sang his way into my heart in Newsies and freaked me out in American Psycho and The Machinist.

3:10 to Yuma
I've said it before and I'll say it again: 3:10 to Yuma is an excellent retelling of an old Western, reminding us that this dusty genre isn't dead. The lead actors turn in solid performances including Christian Bale who plays rancher Dan Evans, a man down on his luck physically and financially. Evans seizes an opportunity to earn some good reward money by delivering the infamous outlaw Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) to the Yuma prison via the 3:10 PM train. With Ben's men hot on their trail, their journey to Yuma takes on a power struggle that is ultimately as simple as good versus evil. This film has one of Bale's most arresting portrayals in recent history, and should definitely kick off your movie night.

Two more titles from the deeper confines of Bale's past, so

Movie Night: All Amy Adams, All the Time

BuzzSugar — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 11:42:24 -0800

Even if you haven't yet seen the cutefest that is Enchanted, you've probably heard a lot about how lovely and endearing Amy Adams is in the lead role. Indeed, lately there seems to be a kind of Amy Adams fever going around! I think she's just darling, so if Enchanted was the first you'd heard of her and you're eager to see more of this charming girl, check out my suggestions for an Amy Adams Movie Night. In addition to these titles, she is also hilarious in Drop Dead Gorgeous and convincingly petulant in The Wedding Date.

Junebug
Adams is at her sweet, wide-eyed best in this fish-out-of-water tale. Big-time Chicago art dealer, Madeleine (Embeth Davidtz), finally meets her new dreamboat husband's (Alessandro Nivola) family when she goes down to North Carolina to close a deal with a reclusive artist. There she meets her touchy mother-in-law (Celia Weston), quiet father-in-law Eugene (Scott Wilson), grouchy brother-in-law Johnny (Ben McKenzie), and Johnny's pregnant wife Ashley (Adams). Naive and childlike, Ashley idolizes Madeleine and her glamorous big-city ways. As with most stories like this, the newcomer acts as a catalyst for examining deep-rooted family issues.

Two more titles featuring America's redheaded sweetheart if you

Movie Night: She Works Hard for the Money

BuzzSugar — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 13:26:52 -0700

In honor of the upcoming Labor Day weekend, let's take a moment and honor those cinematic ladies who, as Donna Summer would say, "work hard for the money." I know there are plenty of movies to choose from for this category, but I'm narrowing my list for this Movie Night to just three. So this holiday weekend, curl up in solidarity with some of your onscreen working sisters.

Nine to Five
This tale of office revenge is perhaps the most satisfying ever — especially because it features three fed up ladies getting back at "the Man." Dolly Parton has big hair and bigger boobs, and pairing up her Southern charm with Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda makes for some hilarious hijinks as the three disgruntled ladies exact revenge on their clueless, rude, sexist boss (Dabney Coleman). This movie makes me cheer.

Two more films, so

Movie Night: O, America

BuzzSugar — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 13:00:00 -0700

In keeping with this week's Independence Day theme, this week's Movie Night consists of three movies having to do with the U.S. of A. I've already recommended American Beauty in a previous installment of Movie Night, but that's another great one to watch this week!

American Pie
A staple in many an American teenager's cinematic repertoire, American Pie oozes with adolescent sexual frustration and poses hilarious worst-case scenarios. As a foursome of guys gets ready to graduate high school, they turn their attention to the one thing left to do before senior prom: lose that pesky virginity. They each approach this challenge in their individual ways and with varied results, though they all learn some kind of lesson in the end. Eugene Levy plays Jim's (Jason Biggs) well-meaning but horrendously awkward father in what has become one of his signature roles. American Pie also brought the term "MILF" into common usage, and anyone familiar with the movie now knows the ending to any story that starts with "This one time? At band camp?"

Two more movies if you

Movie Night: Vacation Movies

BuzzSugar — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 12:19:23 -0700

Seeing as this week the Sugar network celebrated all things honeymoon as a part of wedding season coverage, I thought I'd do a Movie Night featuring three great vacation movies.

Roman Holiday
One of my all-time favorite Audrey Hepburn movies — and the only one that earned her an Oscar win — Roman Holiday will steal your heart and spirit it away to the narrow streets of Italy's capital city. Hepburn plays a princess who, on the Roman leg of her European capitals tour, rebelliously sneaks away from her entourage and strikes off on her own. She falls asleep on a bench, however, and is discovered by an American reporter (Gregory Peck) who is thrilled that he can get the inside scoop on the runaway princess. A charming romance, of course, ensues. Rome often looks beautiful in the movies, and this film is no exception. Watching it makes me more fully understand the meaning of "roman-tic."

Two more if you

Movie Night: Sarah Jessica Parker Movies

BuzzSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 09:30:31 -0700

On the heels of her latest movie news, this week's Movie Night is all about Sarah Jessica Parker. She will forever be associated with Carrie Bradshaw on "Sex and the City," but the truth is, she's played some delightful non-Carrie-like characters in her day.

Banish from your mind Failure to Launch and If Lucy Fell, and check out three of my favorite movies that feature SJP. And instead of photo stills, this week I found short clips from each of these movies. This first one is truly a little bit of '80s bliss.

Girls Just Want to Have Fun
For this movie description — in case you somehow missed the movie back in the mid-1980s — I'm deferring to the Netflix write-up because it's rather hilarious: "Janey (Sarah Jessica Parker) is a shy good girl. Lynne (Helen Hunt) is a cool rock chick. But when the two friends scheme to get Janey on television's biggest after-school dance show, they find themselves on a wild adventure filled with cute boys, hot dancing, prudish nuns, mean rich kids, parents that just don't understand, and girls doing what they know best...just having FUN!"

For two more SJP suggestions and clips,

Movie Night: Well-Meaning Dads

BuzzSugar — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 15:14:40 -0700

This week I posted my Top 10 Movie Dads — many of whom are notable for their sweetness or bravery or patience. Now for this week's Movie Night, I'm suggesting three movies in which the dads love their kids and are well-intentioned, but don't always quite cut it.

Say Anything
Before he was the grouchy cane-wielding dad on "Frasier," John Mahoney was Diane's (Ione Skye) crook dad, James, in Say Anything. He and Diane have a very special relationship, in fact, they're kind of each other's whole world. It would be intensely creepy if it weren't so cute. And, of course, we love James just as much as Diane does — up until his true actions are discovered and Diane (along with the audience) feels betrayed and disappointed. Still, even at the very end when James has hurt his daughter enormously, you can still see that he loves her more than anything. He just got a little lost.

Two more if you

Movie Night: Geeks Rule

BuzzSugar — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 16:33:50 -0700

Recommending the "Freaks and Geeks" DVDs earlier today got me thinking about movies in which the geeks triumph or in which the underdogs have their day. I checked with my girl GeekSugar and she recommended a few of her favorite "geeks rule" movies, so for this week's Movie Night, check out these titles that are Geek recommended, Buzz approved.

Goonies
This is one of the best movies to watch for those heartwarming "geeks rule" moments. Mikey and Brandon Walsh (um, not the Brandon Walsh from "90210," but that's a funny crossover) are determined to save their neighborhood from the big, bad meanies about to build a golf course near their homes. Together with their buddies Chunk, Andy, Mouth, Stef, and Data, the brothers set off to find the hidden fortune as marked on One-Eyed Willie's treasure map. Adventure ensues, along with Chunk's Truffle Shuffle dance and plenty of Sloth bonding.

Two more if you

Movie Night: War Satires

BuzzSugar — Fri, 25 May 2007 14:53:30 -0700

Memorial Day is not a time for cracking jokes, but wartime itself often requires humor as a matter of survival. So in honor of this weekend's holiday, I've put together a Movie Night featuring some thought-provoking but entertaining war satires. These three films utilize dark humor while also recognizing and respecting the horrors of war.

Dr. Strangelove

It's remarkable to think that Stanley Kubrick's classic satire of nuclear holocaust was made back in 1964, because not a year has passed since when Dr. Strangelove wasn't eerily relevant. To me, this is not only one of the greatest war satires of all time but also one of the most expertly crafted satirical films overall. That's because it manages to put forth a subtle yet clear critique of deadly serious issues while also delivering laugh-out loud laughs that make you just uncomfortable enough. George C. Scott and Peter Sellers handle their one-liners ("precious bodily fluids," anyone?) with the care one would afford a nuclear warhead, making them infinitely quotable even now.

For two more war satires,

Movie Night: Good Cameron Diaz Movies

BuzzSugar — Fri, 18 May 2007 08:32:34 -0700

Watching Shrek the Third this week I was reminded that I have, on occasion, been truly entertained by — and sometimes impressed with — Cameron Diaz. More often she annoys me, but for this week's Movie Night I'm highlighting three movies in which I think Diaz does a great job.

Being John Malkovich
Hands down, this is my favorite role I've seen Diaz play, perhaps because she doesn't rely on her wide goofy smile or generic beauty for it. In fact, she looks so totally not like Cameron Diaz, I always forget it's her. What's more, I get the impression from watching her that she forgets herself, which is extraordinarily refreshing. In this bizarrely entertaining film, Diaz plays Lotte, the dowdy, oddball wife to Craig (John Cusack), a puppeteer who discovers a portal to John Malkovich's brain.

Two more if you

Movie Night: Mother's Day Special

BuzzSugar — Thu, 10 May 2007 11:55:26 -0700

In honor of Mother's Day this Sunday May 13, spend a movie night with these great, interesting moms.

Pieces of April
Katie Holmes is surprisingly cool and down-to-earth as April, a young woman who's hosting her family's Thanksgiving dinner at her New York apartment. April dreads and resists the event, having been estranged from her mother for years. Yet now her mother is terminally ill, and this Thanksgiving may be her last. April has help from her boyfriend Bobby (Derek Luke) in preparing the meal, but everything still manages to go awry and April finds support in unexpected places. Though the subject matter is heavy, the story is actually humorous and redemptive. The ever-great Patricia Clarkson plays April's ailing mother as pitiable, human and very funny.

Two more if you

Movie Night: Celebrating Mexico

BuzzSugar — Fri, 04 May 2007 08:32:00 -0700

As Cinco de Mayo approaches, I figured now would be a good opportunity to plan a movie night with some of my favorite movies having to do with Mexico. I left off Quinceanera because I've already recommended it, but that is one of my favorite films in this genre. Rent it!

Frida
Salma Hayek's performance as Mexican painter Frida Kahlo is astounding. The film follows Kahlo's very turbulent life: from a debilitating accident, to her troubled relationship with Diego Rivera (Alfred Molina), to her reputation as a communist and lesbian, to her untimely death. The film beautifully captures the great passions and terrible pains that influenced Kahlo's artwork.

Two more if you

Movie Night: Wedding Mania

BuzzSugar — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 15:40:44 -0700

In the spirit of wedding season, this week's Movie Night features some great wedding-themed movies to get you in a nuptially mood.

Muriel's Wedding
Check out Toni Collette and Rachel Griffiths in some of their most endearing roles ever, playing friends Muriel and Rhoda. Muriel has spent her days listening to ABBA and dreaming about the perfect wedding — despite never having been on a date. Her luck changes, however, when she and Rhoda leave their quiet Australian town and meet David (Daniel Lapaine), a handsome South African looking for Australian citizenship. I cannot stress enough how delightfully refreshing Toni Collette is in this role.

Two more if you

Movie Night: Wedding Workers

BuzzSugar — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 06:00:51 -0700

This week, the Sugar Network is a-twitter with the excitement of wedding planning mania, which got me thinking about all the hard workers who make those big days as perfect as possible. And then there are those who "work" weddings with a different agenda. Either way, it's time for a Movie Night all about wedding workers.

The Wedding Singer
Anytime this movie comes on TBS, I have to give up whatever I'm doing and watch it. As a result, I've seen this film dozens of times, and I love it more with each viewing. I can even forgive the utterly passionless kissing that goes on between Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler. The film follows schlubby-but-cute wedding singer Robbie (Sandler) as he pines for a fellow wedding worker, catering waitress Julia (Barrymore). Having been burned when his ex-fiancee left him at the altar, he's pretty bitter about love, and besides, Julia is herself betrothed to a sleaze bag. ("Julia Gulia?") But with a little confidence, some help from his friends, and a song he wrote himself that makes a little weepy every darn time, Robbie might just stand a chance at love. Relive the fun opening sequence set to "You Spin Me Right Round" here.

Two more good ones, so

Movie Night: Spring Greens

BuzzSugar — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 16:25:19 -0700

Spring is in the air — in some parts of the country, at least — and April boasts both Earth Day and Arbor Day. In honor of all that, this week's Movie Night includes films that have something(ish) to do with greenery. Here's to a fresh springtime, with April showers bringing May flowers and all that jazz.

Adaptation
Nicolas Cage, in a surprisingly impressive turn, plays twin characters Charlie and Donald Kaufman in this strange art-reflects-life story. It's basically the telling of real-life Charlie Kaufman's experiences adapting The Orchid Thief for the big screen. Meryl Streep puts forth her usual superb performance, playing a fictionalized version of real-life author Susan Orlean. The film is interesting and well-made, and if nothing else, orchids are magnificent flowers to look at.

Two more movie suggestions, so

Movie Night: Films With Rabbits

BuzzSugar — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 13:20:23 -0700

This Easter weekend, bunny-related things will be everywhere, so I thought I'd add to the frenzy with a rabbit-themed Movie Night! The bunnies in these films aren't necessarily the cuddly springtime icons we normally associate with Easter, because those kinds of bunnies don't make the greatest movie characters. So grab your pile of Peeps and prepare for a "hare-raising" night. (I know, sorry, sorry.)

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
If you're familiar with Wallace and Gromit, then you may already adore this movie, and if you're not, this is a perfect opportunity to fall in love with the endearing British duo. Bucktoothed, cheese-loving inventor Wallace and his mute, loyal dog Gromit are determined to solve the case of a giant were-rabbit (like werewolf, but a rabbit) who is terrorizing the town's vegetable growers. Watching this film I had to marvel at how completely entertaining a claymation movie can be for a grown-up, and I appreciated the many adult jokes.

Two more bunny-licious picks, so

Movie Night: Will Ferrell Movies

BuzzSugar — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 15:57:47 -0700

Will Ferrell's endearing, off-kilter acting style seems to have spawned its own genre: call it, simply, the Will Ferrell Movie. While I find too-similar routines obnoxious in some actors, Ferrell movies are often so easily digestible that I crave them when I need a lighthearted film fix. In honor of Ferrell's latest triumph, Blades of Glory, I thought I'd pay tribute to the man in this week's Movie Night.

Old School
On the surface, this "dude buddy" kind of movie sounds kind of repellent, but whether it's the clever script or Ferrell's inoffensive demeanor, I absolutely love Old School. Frustrated by the realities of adulthood, three buddies in their 30s (including a priceless Vince Vaughn) create their own fraternity, partially to keep from being evicted by the ornery dean. What's funny is that these aging college friends are still desperately trying to "fight the man" when they are at a point where they could easily be "the man." It's silly, ridiculous, and easy to watch.

For my other favorite Ferrell movies,

Movie Night: Don Cheadle-A-Thon

BuzzSugar — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 16:58:32 -0700

Reign Over Me opens tomorrow starring one of my all-time favorite actors: Don Cheadle. In honor of his newest release, I'm making the theme of this week's Movie Night "movies I like that star Don Cheadle." This is not a comprehensive list of Cheadle accomplishments — please also see Boogie Nights and Traffic — just some of my personal favorites. So watch these movies and go see Reign Over Me this weekend. The Cheadle is worth it.

Hotel Rwanda
I had trouble motivating myself to watch this movie, just because I knew it was going to be so bleak, but I'm so glad I did. Nominated for 3 Academy Awards in 2004, Hotel Rwanda explores the Tutsi-Hutu conflict through the story of one man who decides to house hundreds of refugees in his hotel. Though physically Cheadle looks pretty much like he usually does, the actor nearly disappears into the role with earnestness and grace. Plus, like so many well-made historical dramas, the movie will make you feel smarter for having seen it.

For more great Cheadle cinema,

Movie Night: Honoring St. Patrick's Day

BuzzSugar — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 14:32:29 -0700

In honor of St. Patrick's Day on Saturday, this week's Movie Night involves movies that feature Ireland. It was hard to decide on just three Irish-themed films, since so many more have struck a chord in me. When pressed, however, I'd say these are my favorite films about the Emerald Isle.

The Commitments
This 1991 film follows ambitious Jimmy Rabbitte, a young man determined to form an American-style band in Dublin. He gathers an army of talented — if misfit — musicians whose tempers don't exactly harmonize. The movie is full of humor, passion, and really great music from artists like Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin.

For two other excellent and entertaining films,

Movie Night: A Martin Scorsese Sampler

BuzzSugar — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 16:03:03 -0800

In honor of his first Best Director win, this week's Movie Night is all about Scorsese. There are additional, equally worthy titles beyond the ones listed here (see also: Casino), and some you should avoid, such as Gangs of New York, but this will get you started. So check these out, and yes, I'm talkin' to you.

Goodfellas
"As far back as I can remember, I've always wanted to be a gangster," says Henry Hill, the young Irish-Italian Broolynite at the center of this crime drama, which is based on a true story. Henry (Ray Liotta) and his two friends Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci) and Jimmy Conway (Robert DeNiro) climb their way up the mobster ladder, beginning with robbery and eventually working their way to violent crime. The film earned Scorsese kudos all around for his detailed character work, deft ability to create a specific mood, and sharp depiction of the criminal mind.

Two more, so

Movie Night: Oscar Best Picture Winners Through Time

BuzzSugar — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:21:28 -0800

This year's Oscar race for Best Picture is a close one; you can examine each movie's odds for winning with the Best Picture Breakdowns I've been featuring this week. For this week's Movie Night, I thought I'd take a look back at some very different Best Picture winners through the ages. So take the guesswork out of picking which movies to watch this week; all three of these are solid winners.

It Happened One Night
This classic comedy has a most delightful, old-timey premise. Stubborn socialite Ellie Andrews (Claudette Colbert) marries her sweetheart, only to learn her controlling father is having the marriage annulled. Tired of living under his thumb, she runs away to New York. Along the way she meets the dashing reporter Peter Warne (Clark Gable), who secretly detects a great story in the socialite's scandal. The two journey together: He offers her protection, while she provides him with plenty of material. Of course, they first can't stand each other, and then can't stand to be apart — predictable, but also surprising in parts. Interestingly, Gable's performance in this film earned him his only Oscar win ever. He and the rest of the cast, along with the entertaining plot and excellent direction made for Best Picture gold at the 6th annual awards ceremony in 1935.

To see the other two,

Movie Night: Presidential Movies

BuzzSugar — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 05:00:47 -0800

In my opinion, there are two reasons to celebrate this Monday's President's Day holiday. One, of course, is that it's a three-day weekend, and the other is that there are so many great movies whose stories revolve around U.S. presidents. Hence, I'm devoting this week's themed Movie Night to some of my favorite presidential movies.

The American President
Michael Douglas makes for a solid, dependable, and intelligent U.S. President in this film about romance, Oval Office-style. Douglas plays President Andrew Shepherd, the most powerful man in the world. When he asks the smart, lovely lobbyist Sydney Ellen Wade (Annette Benning) out on a date, tongues start wagging, and the President's approval ratings plummet. It's situations like these that test a President, and the choices made can turn a good President into... a great one. (Cheesiness fully intended).

Two more, so

Movie Night: Best Costumes Winners

BuzzSugar — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 14:34:58 -0800

This week I've been featuring the Oscar nominees for Best Costumes, and on Friday I'll ask you to vote for the one you think should win. In the meantime, I've planned this week's Movie Night around three movies that I think were completely deserving of their Best Costume wins.

Amadeus
One of my all-time favorite movies, Amadeus is so much more than just an amazing period piece. It tells the story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, rising to fame in the early 19th century. The costumes do an impressive job of pulling you into the incredible opulence of that time period and class, though my favorite part is Tom Hulce, who makes Mozart into a very funny, enthusiastic, and flawed genius.

For two more stunning picks,

Movie Night: Football Films

BuzzSugar — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 10:31:07 -0800

The Super Bowl is this Sunday, so let's get the couch warmed up with a Movie Night. This week's theme: football movies. These three will make for good date-night viewing, since they have a little bit of something for everyone (assuming one of you is a football fan). I could make some lame sports/love pun here — something involving touchdowns, perhaps — but "My Boys" has put me off those forever. So just grab some beer and buffalo wings and enjoy the films.

Any Given Sunday
Though it leans a little heavy on the football-as-war metaphors, Oliver Stone's over-the-top football flick is better than you might think, with chaotic cinematography, a killer hip-hop soundtrack, and a sinister normalcy holding it all together. Here, we get the first hints that Jamie Foxx can act, as he plays the young hotshot to Dennis Quaid's aging quarterback on the fictional Miami Sharks pro squad. There are plenty of quiet acting gems in the big ensemble cast, including Matthew Modine as the conflicted team doctor. Offering surprising moments of depth for what, at times, feels like a music video, Any Given Sunday will rally football fans and non-fans alike.

To see the other two,

Movie Night: There Are No Small Parts...

BuzzSugar — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 10:55:34 -0800

...only small actors. My heart always melts a little when a child actor gets nominated for an Oscar — most recently, Abigail Breslin for Little Miss Sunshine. In some ways, it seems easy to get kids to "act," since they are already impressionable and connected with their emotions. In 1944's Meet Me In St. Louis, the director told young Margaret O'Brien that her dog had died to make her cry so Judy Garland could comfort her by singing "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas."

Surely directors have all sorts of tricks to get child stars to cooperate, but when a kid's got it, she's got it — no trickery necessary. Thus, the inspiration for this week's Movie Night: Oscar nominees in miniature.

Paper Moon
As a tiny scam artist in training, Tatum O'Neal steals this movie right out from under her real-life dad, Ryan O'Neal. For her trouble, she took home the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. The expertly crafted Peter Bogdanovich dramedy, set in the 1930s, follows a con-man who enlists O'Neal the younger in a Bible-selling scheme. The scenes between the cigarette-smoking 10-year-old and Madeline Kahn as Ryan O'Neal's lady friend are nothing short of brilliant.

To see the other two,

Movie Night: Going For the Golden Globes

BuzzSugar — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 11:58:15 -0800

So many movies, so little time. Thankfully, BuzzSugar is here to help you sort through them all! Each week, I'll choose a theme for a Movie Night and feature three must-see movies in keeping with that theme. This week's theme: Golden Globe Best Picture winners.

This year's Golden Globe winner for Best Picture Drama was Babel, a movie that reinforces the idea that emotion has no language. When I started looking back at the Best Drama winners over the past 10 years, I noticed that many of the Globe winners seem to address this universality of emotions, and three of my favorites really stood out. For the best Best Picture, Drama, winners over the past decade, the winners are...

American Beauty
This 2000 Golden Globe winner brings us a tale of the seemingly perfect, suburban Burnham family. Beneath the surface, however, all-American dad Lester (Kevin Spacey) is bored to the point of hopeless depression. While his wife (the incredible Annette Benning) comes rapidly unhinged, Lester begins to obsess over his teenage daughter's friend. Meanwhile, the daughter, Jane (Thora Birch), starts a friendship with the quiet, artsy boy next door who lives with his homophobic father. Not only is the screenplay extremely well-written, but the cinematography is also so gorgeously moving it lends a timelessness to this sad yet compelling portrait of "the good life" in American suburbia.

To see the other two,

Movie Night: Real-Life Competition

BuzzSugar — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 10:29:57 -0800

It's hard to go wrong with a good true-life competition tale. Whether following the high-level Scrabble circuit (Word Wars) or professional bowlers (A League of Ordinary Gentlemen), these stories have extreme drama, anticipation, triumph, and failure built right in. So spend an evening living through the agony and the ecstasy with my three picks for the best competition documentaries.

Mad Hot Ballroom
In 2005's Mad Hot Ballroom, New York City fifth-graders are led into the strange world of ballroom dancing. As they learn how to swing, tango, and act like little ladies and gentlemen, you can just feel the adolescent hormones rage. (Remember what it was like to partner-dance when you were 12?) It's so adorable to watch the kids practicing in front of their mirrors that, by the time the competition rolls around, you'll want everyone to win.

Two more, so

Movie Night: Films for the Indecisive

BuzzSugar — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 11:35:01 -0800

So many movies, so little time. Thankfully, BuzzSugar is here to help you sort through them all! Each week, we'll choose a theme for a Movie Night and feature three must-see movies in keeping with that theme. This week's theme: films for the indecisive.

From which salad dressing to order to what movie to watch, sometimes it’s just too hard to choose. Instead of flipping a coin, I like to pull out these three movies and watch the characters fumble their way through major life decisions.

His Girl Friday
Hildy Johnson (Rosalind Russell) is convinced she's ready to leave the newspaper business. She's tired of being the fast-talking, cigarette-smoking lady in a room full of men who call their secretaries "sweetheart," and she wants to quit her job and marry a wet blanket named Bruce. But her ex-editor (and ex-husband), Walter Burns (Cary Grant), has other ideas and talks her into doing one last story. Somehow, in just a few hours, Hildy manages to report on a jail break, uncover a corruption scandal, and hide a convicted murderer inside a roll-top desk — all while wearing heels and a ridiculous hat. She's left to decide whether to hop on a train to Albany with Bruce or stay in New York City, keep her job and make out with Cary Grant. Tough choice.

To see the rest,

Movie Night: New Year's Eve Movies

BuzzSugar — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 13:03:19 -0800

So many movies, so little time. Thankfully, BuzzSugar is here to help you sort through them all! Each week, we'll choose a theme for a Movie Night and feature three must-see movies in keeping with that theme. This week's theme: New Year's Eve films, and it so happens that each of these movies is a also a romantic comedy. So whether you're happily in love or going solo, these films will help you ring in the new year with a heartwarming laugh either way.

When Harry Met Sally
Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan star as Harry and Sally, two "just friends" who ride the waves of their respective relationships together, developing a strong friendship over the years. The problem arises, however: "Can a man and a woman remain friends without sex getting in the way?" The culminating New Year's Eve scene makes my stomach go all woogly every time.

Two more, so

Movie Night: Holiday Films For Kids and Adults

BuzzSugar — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 09:30:44 -0800

So many movies, so little time. Thankfully, BuzzSugar is here to help you sort through them all! Every Thursday, we'll choose a theme for a weekend Movie Night and feature three must-see movies in keeping with the topic.

This week's Movie Night: family holiday films that won't drive you nuts. If you often find yourself watching holiday movies with the youngsters in your family, it kind of kills the mood when you audibly groan and yawn. Here are three movies that will entertain the tots and keep you from nodding off in the corner like a granny.

Elf
Elf tells the story of Buddy (Will Ferrell), who was swept away to the North Pole as a boy and raised by elves. Despite the obvious physical differences between he and his elfin peers, Buddy considers himself one of them, until his foster dad (Bob Newhart) reveals the truth. Then it's off to Manhattan, where Buddy hopes to reconnect with his real father (James Caan). Dry-witted Zooey Deschanel stars as Buddy's love interest, who works as an elf at a department store. There is plenty of visual comedy that will appeal to the little ones, as well grown-up jokes to keep everyone in the room chuckling.

To see the rest,

Movie Night: Deep-Freeze Films

BuzzSugar — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 15:54:42 -0800

So many movies, so little time. Thankfully, BuzzSugar is here to help you sort through them all! Every Thursday, we'll choose a theme for a weekend Movie Night and feature three must-see movies in keeping with the topic. This week's Movie Night: deep-freeze films. So if the weather outside is frightful this time of year, make a protective pillow fort and turn on these icy-themed films.

The Ice Storm
Tobey Maguire stars as teenager Paul Hood, who returns from boarding school to a deteriorating world. His family is struggling to stay together, the Watergate scandal is threatening to unravel Washington, and a fierce ice storm is gearing up to freeze over his suburban Connecticut town. With a strong cast which includes Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, Sigourney Weaver, and Christina Ricci, The Ice Storm depicts how the atmosphere of free experimentation and liberalism prevalent in 1973 caused a freezing of one family's morals. The literal freezing of the physical world outside as a figurative device is heavy-handed at times, but also effective, and visually startling.

Two more so

Movie Night: Holiday-ish Films

BuzzSugar — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 22:58:22 -0800

There are two types of holiday films. The ones, like Deck the Halls, that are entirely driven by holiday-based plots, and movies like The Holiday, where the action just happens to unfold over a holiday backdrop. Here are three of my favorite holiday-ish films that are fun to watch this time of year.

Love Actually

Nothing puts the warmth and cheer of the season into your heart quite like a film all about love in its various forms. Love Actually brings us many love-centric storylines at once: There are the coworkers awkwardly courting, the little boy whose world revolves around his beautiful classmate, the new marriage threatening to become a love triangle, and the old marriage starting to show cracks in its foundation. The wonderful cast (Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Liam Neeson, Keira Knightly, and Laura Linney, to name just a few) is stellar enough to make the movie truly enjoyable, and it's even more fun to see how the stories intersect. And if you're anything like me, the real footage of people greeting loved ones at the airport in itself will be enough to get you all misty-eyed.

To see the rest,

Welcome to BuzzSugar!

BuzzSugar — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 16:45:02 -0800

Welcome to BuzzSugar, the newest addition to the Sugar Network and the hippest online destination for your must-have entertainment news and reviews. While Pop gives you all of the celebrity photos and juicy news you love, BuzzSugar will give you the straight story on all of the movies, TV shows, and music that those celebs are making.

On this site, you'll get all of the buzz about must-see movies, hot albums, and killer MP3s, as well as weekly recaps of your favorite TV shows and interviews with your favorite artists. I'll keep you tuned in to all of the latest Oscar buzz and breaking music and movies news. I'll even tell you what to TiVo and add to your Netflix queue.

But the fun doesn't stop there. BuzzSugar will also have lots of other neat features, including Recasts, where I'll let you recast classic movies and TV shows, as well as themed Movie Nights and music Playlists to suit your every whim. It's going to be a blast, so don't forget to visit BuzzSugar for your daily dose of cool.