LilSugar

What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 06:30:46 -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 the selections below you can also add to your queue the kid-friendly adventure Journey to the Center of the Earth.

The L Word
Before the fifth season of Showtime's The L Word started this Summer, there were a lot of questions: Is Jenny still going to be so terrible? Is Shane settling down to make a family (uh, for real this time)? Will Alice stay with Tasha when she's shipped back to Iraq? Well, some of you may know the answers to these questions and some may not.

Now you can take home the entire season to catch up or relive the glory this Winter before the sixth and final season airs Sunday, Jan. 18. Special features include "The 2008 Wolfe Women's Party in Tampa" and "The Making of the Subaru Pink Ride."

Two more selections up next so read more.

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl
I bet there are a lot of little girls (and OK, big ones, too) that are super excited for the release of this movie, which stars Abigail Breslin as the intrepid budding journalist Kit Kittredge. Interestingly, the Depression-era feel-good flick is actually kind of timely now, given the current climate. Netflix describes the plot as such: "With Kit's father (Chris O'Donnell) away looking for a job, her mother (Julia Ormond) takes in boarders to make ends meet - and when the family savings are stolen during a series of robberies, Kit sets about finding the thief."

You'd think a movie like this one would have a special features bonanza attached to it but as it is, there's just an "American Girl Movie Trailer Gallery" featuring previews for direct-to-DVD American Girl movies.

Death Defying Acts
I noted over the Summer how strange it is that a movie with two big-name actors and an acclaimed director had almost zero publicity around its opening weekend. But that was the situation with Death Defying Acts, a story set in 1926 Britain where Harry Houdini (Guy Pearce) "enters into a passionate affair with a Scottish psychic (Catherine Zeta-Jones). The psychic and her daughter (Saoirse Ronan) attempt to con Houdini during a highly publicized séance to contact his mother whose death has haunted him for many years. However, all does not go to plan."

Despite the red flags, I still think it sounds pretty cool and I love that little Atonement actress so I'm definitely adding this to my list of movies to watch at home. Special features include commentary by director Gillian Armstrong and producer Marian MacGowan, and a making-of featurette.

Source

Did You Ever Get Into the American Girl Series?

BuzzSugar — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 08:00:37 -0700

I've already declared my love of the American Girl books, which I enjoyed mostly because they incorporated interesting historical stuff into stories about girls who - aside from the differences in time periods - were just girls like me and my friends. Now, even though I'm an adult with no kids, I'm excited to see the adorable Abigail Breslin play Kit Kittredge in the movie adaptation heading to theaters just in time for the 4th of July.

Not only did I love the books, but I was the ecstatic recipient of a Kirsten doll at one point. My friend's mother even sewed us pajamas that matched our dolls (the white nightgown for me and Kirsten, the red-and-white striped two-piece PJs for my friend and her Molly doll). At that time, there were only three girls to learn about: Kirsten, Molly and Samantha. Now there are tons! And customizable dolls, too. It's crazy to think how far the American Girls have come over the years.

Was the American Girl series a part of your childhood, too?

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Do, Dump, or Marry?

DearSugar — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl came out in limited release Friday and people are buzzing! This cast includes some big names, but Chris O'Donnell is the one that stands out to me. I've been a fan of his since Scent of a Woman but it was his guest spot on Grey's that made my heart go pitter-patter! So ladies, even though he's married and a father of five, tell me, would you want to do, dump or marry Chris O'Donnell?

Source

Win an American Girl Shopping Spree!

LilSugar — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 04:00:19 -0700

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl is this Summer's must see family film. And, lilsugar is giving one lucky winner the opportunity to shop until they drop at the American Girl store with a $500 American Express® Gift Card! A second winner will receive the Kit Kittredge doll® ($95) and her dog, Grace ($18).

To enter, YOU MUST LOG IN and take the quiz below. Your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, just by completing the quiz once you are logged in. You do, however, need to be a TeamSugar member and log in before you take the quiz. If you're not already a member, just register here for an account. One quiz entry per person; all repeat quizzes will be ignored.

The contest is open to US residents only and ends on June 29, 2008 at 11:59pm PDT. For Official Rules click here.

Take the quiz

Trendtotting: Abigail Breslin Shimmers Down Red Carpet

LilSugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:00:53 -0700

America's favorite girl, Abigail Breslin, showcased her sassy sense of 12-year-old style at the New York premiere of Kit Kittredge: American Girl. Looking every bit her age and like quite the lil lady in a gorgeous, sparkly Yana Brink couture dress, which was accented at the waist and had a decadently ruffed skirt that any woman would envy.

The actress, who stars as Kit, paired it with complementary peep toed shoes by BCBG Girls. While shimmering down the red carpet in the company of some of Hollywood's hottest like Julia Roberts and Julianne Moore, the talented sweetheart held her own, with hand on hip. And, sporting soft cascading tendrils and natural makeup, the movie star proved a tween could be a showstopper without sacrificing her sweetness. Now that's Tinseltown chic!

American Girls and Boys Show Off Kit Kittredge in NYC

Molly — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:30:00 -0700

The Kit Kittredge train rolled into NYC last night bringing with it some cool faces and big names. Julia Roberts cozied up with the movie's pint sized star Abigail Breslin while the Smith crew posed like rock stars even without Will around. Looks like they learned a thing or two about red carpets from their famous parents. Chris O'Donnell didn't have any of his own little American kids by his side this time around, but after reading his interview with Lil abut his work and kids I can't help but have love for this all star dad. The movie hits theaters today in July if family fare is what you're after it sounds like just the ticket.

To see more from the premiere including Jane Krakowski, Stanley Tucci and others just read more

View 14 Photos ›

Images include: Julia Roberts, Abigail Breslin, Julia Ormond, Jaden Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jane Krakowski, Willow Smith, Chris O'Donnell, Stanley Tucci, The Clique Girls, Lisa Roberts Gillan

Source

Trendtotting: Chris O'Donnell's All American Boys

babysugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 07:00:32 -0700

Actor Chris O'Donnell is known for his all-American looks and charm so it seems fitting that he and his wife, Caroline, dress their adorable children in unpretentious, but classic style. The three oldest O'Donnell kids showed up to the premiere of their dad's new family film Kit Kittredge: An American Girl looking like they had just stepped off the yacht and I love them for it. Lily, 8, walked the press line in a darling yellow number, while Chip, 7, and Charlie, 4, went for comfortable, pairing jeans with Crewcuts blazers, Ralph Lauren shirts, jeans and white Converse.

Boys' Noroton patchwork madras sportcoat - $135.00	Boys' two-button schoolboy blazer - $138.00
Converse boys chuck taylor® all star® - $25.00	Bedford Straight-Leg Jean - $45.00
Oxford Blake Shirt - $39.50	Boys 8-20 Classic Oxford - $49.75
Boys' braided web belt - $19.50

Source

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl: Interview with Chris O'Donnell

LilSugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:00:25 -0700

He caught our eye as Charlie Simms, the kind hearted collegian, playing opposite Al Pacino in Scent of a Woman and young ladies swooned when he broke up a Circle of Friends as Jack Foley. Chris O'Donnell is the quintessential American male with conventional good looks, smarts and the friendly disposition of the boy, now man, next door. He's the kind of guy that men and mothers like. And, he's the only actor that made us believe that Meredith might pass up McDreamy.

The real life father of five - Lily, 8, Chip, 7, Charlie, 4, Finley, 2 and Maeve, 6 months - who is married to wife, Caroline, is spending the summer on the silver screen as Mr. Kittredge in Kit Kittredge: An American Girl starring Abigail Breslin. The scenes between the dapper dad and his precocious daughter who face hardship during the Great Depression leave a lump in your throat. We recently had a chance to chat with the actor about his latest film.

There are two moments in the film, when Kit spots her dad in the soup kitchen and the ensuing conversation they have by the tree-house, that have an incredible impact on the audience. It's that notion of a parent not being able to provide for his children. How did you prepare for the scene?

I've got kids of my own; We all love our parents and we love our spouses, but until you have your own kid you don't really know what that kind of love is. It's where you would put yourself in front of a moving train for your kid and I think that you understand what that must have felt like. Mr. Kittredge's trying to protect his daughter as most parents do and not have her worry about the hardships of what was going on in their time. And when she sees him in the soup kitchen, he's forced to tell her a little bit more about what the realities are and what they are going to have to do. He tries to put the best spin on it or prepare her for it by telling her that story about his car - don't let it beat ya, and as parents that's about all you can do. It's a situation where he has to go off to find work.

To see the actor's fears as a father, read more.

In that same vein, as the father of five who found early success much like Mr. Kittredge, is being able to provide for your children a legitimate fear of yours, or do you have others?

What's tough for me is when I'm away on location because in my business it's feast or famine when it comes to spending time with my kids. I either have more time than I know what to do with or I don't have any time with them, so I try to maximize my time when I'm with them. But when I'm away on location, thank God for Apple iChat because I can see them on the computer. It's scary - part of being a parent is trying to teach the kids the lessons they need to learn. And sometimes, the kid comes home and asks you a question and you're kind of stalling thinking what's the answer that I am supposed to give here. I'll be calling my older brothers or sisters and asking what do we tell them about this again? Because you realize they are coming to you for all this information and most of it is instinctual, but every once in a while they'll come up with something and you'll think that's a tricky one. You know, let me get back to you on that one.

It's been said that you did Batman for your sons and this movie for your daughters? Is Lily a fan of the American Girl series?

She is a fan and I knew about it because I'm from Chicago and I had visited the store before with my nieces and now with my daughter and we've got a lot of the dolls and that sort of thing. I was highly aware of the whole American Girl phenomenon and I think that for people that do know about the dolls they are going to be so excited about the movie. And, for everyone else that wants to take their kids to a movie on the weekend, they are going to be really pleased because there's so many times that kids want to go to a movie and I can't tell you how many bad family movies I've sat through. This one really works; It's a great ride. It teaches kids a great lesson and they don't even realize they are being taught a lesson. When I left the theater with my daughter, she started asking me all about the people who lost their houses and it was great to have brought that subject up especially now - it's going to be so timely.

Do you think there's a difference between the way kids are said to grow up fast today versus the way they did during The Great Depression?

We've had an incredibly successful run in the economy for the last however many years. I mean obviously it's stalled and heading in a recession now. Then, the economy starts to get tough and that trickles down and you kind of get back to basics. Certainly anyone who lives through a depression and my father did, they don't forget the lessons they learned the same way that the men and women that fought in WWII don't. People don't always have an appreciation of what happened unless they were there and I think that's what's so great about films and books. If you saw Band of Brothers you have such an appreciation for what these guys went though in that generation. And not to compare this to Band of Brothers, but I think it's a great way for kids to get some understanding of what the depression was about, what people went through in a way that they will be excited to see and learn about it.

You've gone from being the naive character in Scent of a Woman to the father in American Girl. Is that transition hard to take or a natural transition?

It felt like the role was easy for me to relate to because I've got an 8-year-old daughter and the emotions that Mr. Kittredge is feeling for his daughter - I just understood and connected with that. But it was the first time I played a parent and I've been doing this for a long time and you start to play different roles. I'm not the kid anymore and I'm a dad so it's just kind of a natural evolution.

The Kittredges lived by the motto, "Don't let it beat you." Do the O'Donnells have a motto?

I don't know that we have a motto. That's a pretty good one right there.

So you'll adapt that one?

We might have to.

We're celebrating Kit Kittredge: An American Girl with a special giveaway next week. Stay tuned for more details.

Source and Cylla von Tiedemann

Guess Who?

PetSugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:30:05 -0700

This lovable Basset Hound stars in the new movie Kit Kittredge: An American Girl, what's her name in the books/film?

Hollywood Goes Gaga For American Girl

LilSugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:17:22 -0700

It was a night of guys and dolls and American girls. On Saturday, the popular dolls that lil girls love so much came to life on the silver screen when Kit Kittredge: An American Girl had its World Premiere at The Grove in Los Angeles. Check out the slideshow to see pictures of attendees, from the star Abigail Breslin to the proud papa of a cast member, Will Smith. Source

View Slideshow ›