I’m sick of trying to convince everyone to go to the movies. Go because for $10-$12, you can take a vacation from your life and live days, months, or years in someone else’s existence. Where else, but in your dreams, can you experience such vivid feats of imagination? How did humankind evolve from clubbing mammoths to piecing together gorgeous technologically baffling stories purely for the purpose of entertainment? This week we have some biggies—Clint Eastwood’s “Invictus,” Peter Jackson’s “The Lovely Bones,” and Tom Ford‘s “A Single Man.” Enjoy. Keep reading »
Was 2009 The “Year Of The Woman” In Movies?
There are pretty much three roles for actresses in mainstream movies—the ingenue, the quirky best friend, or the mother—and all other actresses get sent to the glue factory. Some actresses enjoy diverse careers, like Meryl Streep, Judi Dench and Helen Mirren, who’ve always been cast in deep roles regardless of their age. But they are the exception.
In 2009, something highly unusual happened: newcomer Gabby Sidibe, a plus-sized black woman who looks like no one in Hollywood, starred in “Precious”; Sandra Bullock and Meryl Streep both starred in multiple hits; and the truly “crazy” part is, several mainstream movies starring female leads grossed more than movies starring male leads. Keep reading »
ABC’S “Conveyor Belt Of Love” Turns Dating Into A Manly Meat Market
You know how when you walk into a bar around closing time, when everyone’s trying to decide who tonight’s one-night-stand is gonna be, you feel like a piece of meat being sized up for dinner? Well, I guess ABC does, because they’re planning this amazingly questionable show called “Conveyor Belt of Love.” The concept is this: five women watch 30 men go by on a conveyor belt and have to decide whether they’re “interested” or “not interested.” It gets better; after they have picked a guy, if a guy they like more comes along, they can upgrade! And if two women like the same guy, then he gets to pick one of them. Afterward, we get to witness their dates. Right now this show is just slated to be a special, premiering on Jan. 4, after the season premiere of “The Bachelor.” But with this kind of buzz and potential for offensiveness, I’m thinking it just might have some staying power? It’s kind of like “America’s Got Talent,” but more encouraging of the objectification of men. What’s not to like about that? [TV Over Mind] Keep reading »
Natalie Portman To Conquer Period Pieces And Zombies
If all of the film adaptations of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice have left your brain numb, this one may really kill you … in a good way. Natalie Portman has signed on to produce and star in the movie version of the bestselling book Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, written by Seth Grahame-Smith and, uh, Jane Austen. This expanded version of the Austen classic adds a twist on the well-known love story when the outbreak of a deadly virus begins to turn townsfolk into killers. Elizabeth Bennet struggles to balance her blossoming love for Mr. Darcy with her obligation to kick some zombie butt. And who better to bring the right combination of elegance, wit, and edginess to the role of Elizabeth Bennet than Portman? She certainly has the chops to convince us to embrace this version of Elizabeth—a woman who at long last will have a proper outlet for her sense of purpose. Sure, zombies may seem like a peculiar addition to the original text, but there is something about the outbreak of the undead in 19th-century England that somehow makes the story more accessible. The idea that love can blossom in spite of treacherous, external forces is really a modern concept. Besides, who hasn’t had to slay a couple of zombies to land Mr. Right? [Variety] Keep reading »
Jill Zarin Fries Up Some Hannukah Latkes on “Today”
Happy Hanukkah! In honor of the first day of the festival of lights, “Real Housewives of New York City” star Jill Zarin shares her grandmother’s recipe for potato latkes with Al Roker on “Today.” While they’re deep-fried as usual, Jill swears hers are a little lighter than the average latke (but probably not light enough for “skinny b*tch” Bethenny Frankel). Get Jill’s recipe, complete with measurements and instructions, on the “Today” website. [Today] Keep reading »
Who’s The Guy Who Punched Snooki?
Next week’s episode of “Jersey Shore” looks like it’s going to be pretty brutal—while out partying at a Seaside Heights bar, the lovely (??) Snooki takes a right hook to the face that sends her flying off her stool. Apparently, some drunk jerk had taken her drink and had been harassing her roommates, so she confronted him about it. The guy was apparently super intoxicated—bouncers had already told him to watch it—and he let his fist do the talking. So who is this guy who punched Snooki? Apparently his name is Brad Ferro and he’s a 23-year-old … (wait for it) … high school teacher. Keep reading »
Quotable: Women Can’t Worry Their Pretty Little Heads With “Meaty” Magazine Articles!
“Just look at the features in men’s magazines. They’re often much meatier than the fare you find in women’s magazines. What does that tell you? That guys aren’t afraid to spend an hour reading a great piece of writing.”
—Details deputy editor Chris Raymond, whose prestigious magazine has recently offered men meatier fare like “Why It’s OK To Stare At Fat People” and “The Rise Of The Hot Jewish Girl.” Bitch, please! Pick up a copy of Bust or Bitch or even Elle, Marie Claire or Vogue, and then we’ll talk. [NYMag.com]
What Is Going On In This Just Released “SATC2″ Still?
Sometimes I feel like Miranda Hobbes is the Jan Brady of “Sex and the City.” Just look at this just released film still from the upcoming “SATC” movie sequel. Carrie, Charlotte, and Samantha all look perfectly “posed” and fabulous, while Miranda looks like she’s showing off her blowie technique on a microphone. WTF? Anyway, by the looks of this photo, the gals are doing some sort of karaoke. Bachelorette party? Keep reading »
Liveblogging “Jersey Shore”!
Check back to this post starting at 10 pm EST — I’ll be liveblogging the second episode of “Jersey Shore,” the greatest, trashiest show since I don’t know what. In tonight’s episode, my beloved Snooki gets sucker punched, Ronnie catches Sammy givin’ her digits to another guido, and, like, Jager shots are done. Keep reading »
