Topic: movies

Smoking In Movies: Is It Making Cigarettes Cool Again?

When I first started watching Mad Men, one of most disconcerting elements of the show to me was initially its inclusion of cigarettes. These constant, steady cigarette smoke streams throughout each episode — in the office, at home, in restaurants, by and around pregnant women. It was completely different than how things are presently, and it was considerably different than so many shows and movies that have been produced in the last fifteen years that don’t use cigarettes.

Now, however, smoking in movies appears to be increasing. Again. More »

Ridiculous Medical Groups Want ‘R’ Rating For Smoking Scenes In Movies

As a health blogger, I’m probably supposed to say that the movement to ban smoking in movies by giving these films an “R” rating is a good idea…but it’s not. At first glance, it may seem like the right thing to do–especially because we want to shield kids and teens from being influenced by such unhealthy behaviors. But once you take a closer look at this idea, giving a movie an “R” rating simply because someone smokes is pretty ridiculous. More »

Fit Features: 5 New Movies That Tackle Health (Not Comic Books)

This may shock you, but there are films coming out right now other than The Avengers and Battleship. A handful of this weekend’s new releases—Hysteria, Virginia, Mansome—might even be described as “health related,” though that covers a broad spectrum of health topics (including: male body image, pregnancy, schizophrenia and the mental health possibilities of vibrators). Here’s our quick guide to new health-related movies—we promise, nothing based on comic books or video games (just pregnancy manuals and bizarre history). More »

Movies Cut Back Smoking Scenes. Where Else It Should Be Banned?

Two thumbs up for three movie makers: Time Warner, Comcast and the Walt Disney Company have all committed to reducing smoking scenes from their films. In fact, tobacco scenes declined by 96 percent in those companies’ films over the last five years, and most of the youth-targeted films had no smoking at all. More »

Absolut Sell-out: Next James Bond Movie Set to Brainwash Fans With Advertising

Before filming of the new James Bond film can even get underway, its product placement sponsorship deals have already been secured for a whopping $45 million. That far surpasses the record held by Minority Report, where Steven Spielberg secured funding from Lexus, Bulgari, and American Express for $2o million. Oh my lovely Mr Bond, how could you? Shall we rename your shaken-not-stirred martini as an “Absolut Sell-out?” More »

Mental Health In the Movies: Who Got It Right?

Gone are the days when mental health issues were taboo (something we’re all grateful for), but now that they’re out in the open, we wonder if all the examples of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders are all painting a realistic picture. To find out who’s getting it right, we spoke with Ryan Howes, Ph.D., a California-based psychologist. Howes explains that, while there are accurate depictions of various mental health issues in pop culture, some aren’t so easy to pin down More »

Scream 4 Poll: Are Horror Films Worth the Stress?

Scream 4 is out today, and although I might sound like a downer (or just old and un-fun), it stresses me out. It’s not the idea of standing in a line, squished between loud high schoolers for an hour (although that does sound like my idea of terror, in a nutshell), or the fact that tickets now cost an arm and a leg. It’s the constant wringing of my hands, clenching of my jaw, and tensing of my shoulders in anticipation of the next knife to go flailing through the air that really gets me wired. And not in a “yum, I just drank an enjoyable caffeinated beverage” kind of way. Am I the only one who thinks that scary movies aren’t always worth the adrenaline rush?

Sorry! This poll is now closed.

Would You Delete a Memory? Eternal Sunshine Could Be a Reality

If you’ve seen Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, you’ll remember cringing as Jim Carrey’s character makes the decision to delete his memory of an entire relationship that turned sour. Well, you’d better start cataloging which past experiences you’d like to see vanish, because scientists have figured out a way to remove painful memories More »

Marcel the Shell With Shoes On Won’t Make You Healthy, But She Will Make You Happy (Video)

It’s possible you’ve already seen Marcel the Shell With Shoes On, a new original stop-motion short film from boyfriend-girlfriend duo Dean Fleischer-Camp and Jenny Slate (the SNL cast member who dropped the F-bomb during her debut sketch and recently got canned after just one season). In less than a month, this tiny work of genius has gone viral in a major way, and to find out why, just watch – and believe the hype. More »

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10 Things We Want to Do This Weekend

As usual, we’re glad it’s finally the weekend — you? Check out our plans for the next two days, and join in: More »

Waste of Time: Woman Sues Movie Theater Over Interminable Commercials

Going to the movies is becoming less and less fun. We fork over tons of money for tickets and snacks, and then we’re stuck watching commercials for 20 minutes prior to the main attraction — not even counting previews. Well, Chen Xiaomei of China has finally had enough of all the pre-show entertainment, and is actually suing a cinema for having to endure 20 minutes of ads before the flick. More »

Avoid Weekend Diet Pitfalls: Make Brunch, Dinner, Happy Hour, and Movies Healthy

You can have your weekend fun, but you can’t eat a bunch of crap and maintain your weight, too. A study in the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing showed that most people consume an average of 400 extra calories over the weekend – enough to pack on 6 extra pounds per year. Here’s how Self Magazine suggests you reel it in without becoming a recluse: More »

Cinema Snacks: Here’s what you should be eating when you go to the movies. (via Eating Well)

2010: Worst Year for Movies Ever?

Humans like going to the movies — Blisstree staff included. There’s just something magical about watching a blockbuster on the big screen as opposed to your 12-inch fingerprint-smudged laptop. But we just haven’t been to the movies much this summer, … More »

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