FitSugar

Buzz News Roundup, 5/16

BuzzSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:30:28 PDT

Did you ever read R.L. Stine's Goosebumps books? Now there's going to be a movie version of the series, Variety reports.
Billboard has the rundown of this year's BET Awards nominees; T. Pain leads the pack with five nominations.
Hooray! The hilarious Rob Corddry has finally landed a starring role, in the action-comedy Project A, which will be produced by Ben Stiller, ComingSoon writes.
According to Variety, we'll see an English-language remake of the Chilean movie Pretendiendo in which "a beautiful woman . . . dons a fat suit to shield herself from any more romantic upsets."
American Idol's Taylor Hicks is headed to Broadway as the Teen Angel in a production of Grease, Billboard reports.
Zap2It writes that George Clooney will star in an adaptation of the non-fiction book Men Who Stare at Goats.
The Wall Street Journal claims that if ratings don't improve for the CW, the network may be doomed.
ComingSoon reports that Danny Glover will reprise his stage role in a big screen adaptation of Master Harold... and the Boys.
Check out the colorful pictures of the grand opening of the Simpsons ride at Universal Studios in the Orlando Sentinel.

What Puts the Goose in Goosebumps?

FitSugar — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 12:30:00 PST

I bet the chill in the air has give you a fair share of goosebumps. Want to know what causes them? Scientifically speaking, they're triggered by a reflex called piloerection. This reflex causes tiny muscles at the base of each hair to contract, making the little hairs that cover your body to stand up. Which in turn makes little bumps all over your skin, giving it the appearance of a freshly-plucked goose.

When animals get cold, this reflex helps to fluff up their hair or feathers to trap in body heat. Human goosebumps on the other hand are an attempt to make us warm, but since we have such little body hair, goosebumps serve absolutely no purpose.

Goosebumps are also a physical response to fear, just like when you sweat or your heart races. When animals are scared, like a cat or porcupine, they get goosebumps too and their fur or quills stand up, making them look more fierce. Our tiny hairs stand up, too, but I think we can all agree that it doesn't do much to protect us from harm or make us look more ferocious.

Our skin also gets all goosebumpy when we hear beautiful music or a touching story. Like other emotion-linked reflexes such as blushing, turning pale, and butterflies in your tummy, goosebumps are triggered by the limbic system of the brain. This bodily response isn't driven by a physical prompt, but by a psychological one. Yet another example of the mind-body connection. Wow. I just gave myself goosebumps.

Ooh, I Just Got Goose bumps

FitSugar — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 14:05:00 PST

It's been awfully chilly out there lately and I bet you've gotten your fair share of goose bumps. Want to know what causes them? Well, they're triggered by a reflex called piloerection (kind of funny name - don't ya think?). This reflex causes the little hairs that cover your body to stand up, because tiny muscles at the base of each hair contract. Which in turn makes those little bumps all over your skin giving it the appearance of a freshly plucked goose.

Like with a hissing kitty, piloerection is a response to cold or fear. But for people today, goosebumps are vestigial. That is a fancy way to say they serve absolutely no purpose. They do in fact NOT help you get warm.

Do you get goose bumps when you hear a moving story or nails scratching a chalkboard? Interested to know why? Then,

Goose bumps are an automatic response (like shivering or sweating) to strong emotions. Like other emotion-linked reflexes such as blushing, turning pale, and butterflies in your tummy, goose bumps are triggered by the limbic system of the brain.

So our skin gets bumpy when we hear beautiful music or watch scary movies, and that bodily response isn't driven by a physical prompt, but by a psychological one. Yet another example of the mind/body connection. Wow. I just gave myself goose bumps.

The Hunger Games and 13 Other Frequently Challenged Sci-Fi Books

Kelly Schwarze — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:14:16 PDT

This month the American Library Association updated its list of frequently challenged books for the 2011 year, and one wildly popular novel is making its way up the rankings of this infamous list. The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, which first appeared at number five of Top 10 Most Frequently Challenged Books in 2010, is now third on the list for attempts to remove its contents from school curriculum and library bookshelves. The complaints against the books include text that is anti-ethnic and anti-family, insensitivity, offensive language, occult scenes, and violence.

Despite First Amendment protection, banning or attempting to challenge books has a long history, with many cases even making it to the US Supreme Court. As the American Library Association explains: "books usually are challenged with the best intentions-to protect others, frequently children, from difficult ideas and information." Science fiction and fantasy books often contain these themes that some find questionable, whether it's alien life forms, magical powers, or mystical worlds. In honor of Banned Books week, we're rounding up the most challenged science fiction and fantasy books according to the ALA. Browse the list below!

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling - The stories of the wizarding world are seen by challengers to have occult and violent themes.
Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer - Its movie stars may provoke pandemonium, but critics of the book say it's too sexually explicit.
His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman - The series beginning with The Golden Compass is often decried for its anti-religious viewpoints.
The Giver by Lois Lowry - Despite the book's message of freedom of choice, criticisms are made for the fictional dystopia's bleak family outlook.
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley - Offensive language, racism, and insensitivity are often cited in challenges to the future dystopian novel.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury - The tale of a future world where the printed word is banned and systemically burned was criticized for offensive language.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle - Children's search through space and time for their vanished father is often challenged for the inclusion of supposed witches.

Follow the break for more challenged books of the last 20 years.

Watch Matt Bomer and Darren Criss Sing "Somebody That I Used To Know" on Glee

Becky Kirsch — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:51:53 PDT

We've already seen pictures of Matt Bomer on Glee, but now we're getting a taste of what he sounds like when he shows off those pipes. In a performance from next week's episode, Bomer (as Blaine's brother, Cooper) sings a duet with his little bro to Gotye's "Somebody That I Used To Know." The song has become ubiquitous lately, but it still gave me goosebumps to hear the guys nail each note. Seems like there might be some brotherly tension here, no?

Watch the clip when you

Photo courtesy of Fox

3 Reasons You Loved The Hunger Games

BuzzSugar — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 05:30:00 PDT

Now that The Hunger Games has been released, everyone is talking about what they thought of the movie. We asked you what you thought of the film, and overall, it sounds like you were pleased, and there are a few big reasons that stuck out in your comments. Check out those three things and the comments that support them below.

Jennifer Lawrence gives a stellar performance

"I was very impressed with Jennifer Lawrence's acting. She was able to capture and express all the emotions even without us knowing Katniss's thoughts." - popculture whore
"Rue's death and Jennifer's acting. . . her reaction and her shivering [in] pain or going into the games . . . just outstanding. Oscar-worthy, I say." - Ranaulz
"I thought it was a great movie! Josh Hutcherson and Jennifer Lawrence are very talented actors, and I wish them the best of luck!" - KHB6479

The movie stays loyal to the book

"I loved it! I thought it stayed mostly true to the books . . . I plan to see it again this week!" - Anna Monette Roberts
"Thought the film was cast perfectly, and I didn't think this prior to seeing the movie. The adaptation from book to screen was very well done. Looking forward to seeing the movie again." - adcmx
"I thought the chariot scene with Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) on fire was very cool! It gave me goosebumps! When Katniss was about to enter the games shivering, [it] was very well acted I actually felt nervous myself for her! The fight scene between Katniss and Clove (Isabelle Fuhrman) was intense! All in all they did a great job of bringing the book to life on screen!" - RussTaylor682
"Overall, I think it was a solid, well-acted movie, and was very faithful to the books. I think the setting was perfect; District 12 was exactly as I imagined, as well as the Capitol and the woods during the actual fighting . . . " - dreamalittledream

See one more reason when you read more.

Watch Another New Trailer For Game of Thrones Season 2

Becky Kirsch — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 10:25:48 PST

In case you haven't noticed, we're pretty excited for the April 1 return of Game of Thrones, which means we've been eating up all of the sneak peeks at the new season - and this hot new trailer might be the best one yet. Set to Florence and the Machine's "Seven Devils," this longer preview gives us of a taste of all the drama to come - including trouble at the wall, a vengeful Tyrion, and what appears to be a repentant Cersei. Have a look at the goosebumps-inducing trailer when you

Photo courtesy of HBO

Daily Tech: Tweets That Go Bump in the Night

GeekSugar — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:39:08 PST

Follow Goosebumps legend R.L. Stine as he tweets a horror story - Geekosystem
Why you need to stop Internet bragging - Cracked
Anonymous could shut the power grid via cyberattack - Newser
How to photograph the daytime sky - Tecca
The BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2 has arrived - Geek.com
Watch the trailer for SXSW documentary Wonder Women! The Untold Story of American Superheroines - SlashFilm

Video: Best Dressed! Funniest Moments! Watch Us Break Down All of the Golden Globes Highlights

PopSugar — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:57:47 PST

It's the day after the Golden Globe Awards, and we're taking a look back at all of the show's major moments! Watch as our editors Allison McNamara, Molly Goodson, and Lindsay Miller dish on their favorite dresses of the evening, the speeches that gave them goosebumps, and the funniest moments of the night. Do you agree with their picks? Check it out in today's special PopSugar Rush.

Rewind: Tell Us Which Twilight Character Is Your Favorite

BuzzSugar — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 03:05:00 PST

In anticipation of the release of Breaking Dawn Part 1, we asked you to weigh in on your favorite Twilight characters.
Check out these behind-the-scenes Breaking Dawn pictures you won't see anywhere else.
Before you watch Breaking Dawn, take a look at the Twilight stars' pasts by reliving Edward and Bella's sweetest onscreen moments and reminiscing about what the Twilight stars were up to before starring in Breaking Dawn.
We swooned over our favorite George Clooney roles.
We also took the time to appreciate People's Sexiest Man Alive by rounding up pics of Bradley Cooper's sexiest roles.
If you can't wait for the big Gossip Girl wedding, we've got a sneak peek with photos of Blair Waldorf's wedding dress.
We caught up with some some of the Harry Potter stars when we chatted with Rupert Grint about the Harry Potter film franchise, while James and Oliver Phelps talked about their roles.
If you're a fan of animated films, guess which actors voiced these animated character.
We got goosebumps (and a little teary-eyed) over the new Hunger Games trailer.
In this week's other trailers, we also got a better look at Meryl Streep's turn as Margaret Thatcher in the trailer for The Iron Lady, and Julia Roberts going after Snow White in the Mirror, Mirror trailer.