Thanks, Harvey

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The frenzy regarding Harvey Milk at this moment is similar to a perfect storm, with multiple elements coming together to celebrate the slain first openly gay man elected to public office. The Gus Van Sant film Milk, was released yesterday to nearly unanimous rave reviews for the film itself, as well as the performances of Sean Penn (as Milk) and James Franco (as his lover Scott Smith). Chances at a slew of awards nominations for the film now seems as solid as Oscar gold.

The second part comes from the mass protests in the wake of the passing of Proposition 8 in California. The events are eerily similar to those featured in the film regarding Milk's crusade against Proposition 6 (which would have banned gays from becoming teachers). Many critics who have seen the film have called the similar events a wake-up call to today's society.

Yet the third part of this perfect media storm comes in the form of today's date. It may be a slow day for new in North America, with the entire U.S. celebrating Thanksgiving, but it's also an important day in history. 30 years ago today, Harvey Milk was assassinated by his former coworker, Dan White. During his time as a politician, Harvey Milk was unabashedly out, something that may seem more normal in today's society, but was a cultural taboo in the 1970's. His courage to fight for the rights of the gay community gave the gay movement a face, and unfortunately, a martyr. While the movement may have started nearly a decade earlier with the Stonewall riots, it was Milk's death that acted as a catalyst for many in the LGBT community to take action. As a result, many people including myself, have civil rights that we may not have been granted otherwise, and also have to courage to fight for those we still don't have. So thanks Harvey. We may have come a long way since then, but it wouldn't have even started without you.

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Signs of the Apocalypse? We Have a Winner

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And it wasn't even one we suggested in the first place:


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We Need a New Sign of the Apocalypse

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While it's been streaming online for a few days new at MySpace, GunsN'Roses Chinese Democracy will be officially released tomorrow at Best Buy. After 15 years of ridiculously tedious development, false starts, and ludicrous promises being made by Axl Rose, the moment that nobody thought would come finally has.

What this means, is that we pop culture freaks need to find a new Sign of the Apocalypse. Confused? What this means is that we need a new metaphor for something that may never happen, kinda like "I'll buy silver hotpants when hell freezes over", or "I'll watch CSI: Miami when Chinese Democracy gets released". Check out some of our new Signs of the Apocalypse, after the jump!



1. When Dr. Dre finally releases Detox

2. When Eminem has a different hair colour aside from bleach blond

3. When they stop making Saw movies.

4. When NBC stops remaking bad 80's shows.

5. When Lauryn Hill gets off the crazy pills.

6. When the Olsen twins expand their diet beyond Starbucks and cigarettes.

7. When Thomas Harris stops writing novels to be made directly into Hannibal Lecter movies.

8. When a celebrity names their child "Emily", "James", or "Matthew".

9. When Jerry Bruckheimer produced an emotionally charged, independent, character driven drama.

10. Three words: Amy Winehouse Sober.


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It's OK to Admit You're Excited for 'Star Trek'

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For those of you who have gone to see Quantum of Solace already, you probably left the theatre feeling torn. No, not about the movie itself (well maybe that too, more on that at a later date), but about the trailer you most likely saw before the film. Not Watchmen, or Harry Potter, or The Day the Earth Stood Still. No, none of those made you feel as conflicted as the way you did while you saw thre trailer for J.J. Abrams' upcoming reboot of Star Trek.

After all, aren't Trekkies the only people who get excited for Star Trek? People who worship at the feet of Levar Burton for something other than Reading Rainbow? People who dress up as Romulans every year and travel thousands of miles to attend national conventions? People who have spent their free time over the years, learning to speak Klingon, a language that isn't even real?

It's okay, you're not alone. You can admit it. Like me, you're excited for the new Star Trek.

A list of reasons why it's okay to admit it, as well as the new trailer, after the jump!




Reasons You Can Admit You're Excited For Star Trek

1. J.J. Abrams is King Shit: Everything the man touches turns to gold. Alias, Lost, and Fringe have all become large great successes largely because his name was attached to it. The last time Tom Cruise actually looked cool was because Abrams made him that way in Mission: Impossible III. Even his the stuff that isn't so amazing (Cloverfield) peaks enough interest with its unique concept ideas. If there's anyone who can take this franchise in a bold new direction and succeed, it's J.J.

2. Everything Old is New Again: With Hollywood continually going from creatively bankrupt to in overdraft, remakes and franchise reboots have become standard procedure. The Dark Knight, the second in Warner Bros.' Batman reboot, will finish as the top-grossing (and one of the best) films of the year. James Bond is currently seeing similar success, and The Day The Earth Stood Still is aiming for it in a month's time. Audiences are embracing old faves that have successfully taken on adding relevant messages about today in their films. Abrams recently noted his hope that Barack Obama would win the election, because the idea of "hope, change, and a peaceful world" is an important message of the Star Trek universe. It would be worth it to see a film with an optimistic look at the future for once.

3. Yay Cool Cast: Many Trekkies have griped about Chris Pine as the new Kirk, but the trailer left me with no complaints (and his easiness on the eyes never hurts). Furthermore, fans of Heroes know already that Zachary Quinto as Spock is dead-on. Likewise with the supporting cast. Zoe Saldana, John Cho and Simon Pegg as Uhura, Sulu, and Scotty are all inspired choices to embody iconic characters, both to fans and newbies. Plus, Eric Bana looks sufficiently creepy as the head baddie, Nero.

4. Exciting Backstory: One of the things that both Batman and the Bond franchises have succeeded at is telling the story of how the protagonists came to be. This is something that has neer been told on him in the Star Trek universe either. This will hopefully add a new element that will help embrace newbies to the characters (myself included). Plus, the trailer's opening chase sequence with a young Kirk was a riveting example of classic Abrams action to draw in non-fans.

5. Nothing To Lose: Because no matter what, it can't suck the bag harder than the new Star Wars movies.




Not swayed yet? Check out the trailer here and see for yourself. And then proceed to come out about your Star Trek excitedness.

Continue reading "It's OK to Admit You're Excited for 'Star Trek'"

Tyra Banks Gives Away Sex-Change On Her Talk Show

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Isis, the transgender model from the most recent season of America's Next Top Model, was given a sex reassignment surgery by Oprah-in-training herself on the Tyra Banks Show yesterday. After suffering from discrimination from her competitors on the show, Tyra has the contestant on her show, and surprised the model with the announcement.

Because no matter how many times you go see Oprah, she's never gonna give away a sex change dcuring her Favorite Things. Continue reading "Tyra Banks Gives Away Sex-Change On Her Talk Show"

Does Economic Crisis = Increased Photoshopping?

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So I got my new Entertainment Weekly in the mail last week, as per usual. It arrived a little later than normal though, so it was a few minutes before I noticed something odd about the come-hither looks of Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart (of the upcoming Twilight) on the cover. Mostly it was that somebody had a Photoshopping spree on their faces. Normal, right? Not usually for Entertainment Weekly. While the Time Warner-produced weekly mag constantly has big stars gracing its cover, it's normally more the magazine to criticize excessive airbrushing and photo editing then actually use it.

This particular incident came a week after I grabbed my EW from the mail and was taken aback at the Adobe-assisted lack of facial definition on James Bond himself, Daniel Craig. In fact, ever since my favourite magazine's reformatting this summer, I've keenly noticed that the photoshop factor has had its ante upped.

What could be the root of this?

CONTINUED





There could be many things that it could be blamed on. It could be that airbrushing helps to give the magazine appeal to the Adderall generation. It could be that many celebs have become so vain as to expect it. Yet could it actually be another one of the heinous side effects of the bend-over-and-take-it that the U.S. economy is currently undergoing? In a word, yes.

One of the industries that has taken quite a beating during this fall's economic tailspin has been the publishing industry. Cutbacks have happened at all major U.S. newspapers. Men's Vogue, O at Home and Radar Magazine all have folded within the past month, and Vanity Fair has just announced that it has taken a severe financial beating in advertising dollars. During economic crisis, the first things that get thrown out the proverbial window are luxuries. Nights out for dinner, vacations, $6 coffees at Starbucks, and yes, magazine subscription renewals.

Futhermore, many people aren't renewing subscriptions anymore because they don't need to. Technology has finally, truly come to the point where the paper printed word has become (sadly) almost obsolete. People don't just have the ability to check the news from their computers anymore, but the widespread growth of wireless Internet access and mobile devices now allow people to read the news from their laptop with an Internet stick, or from their iPhone. The advent of web 2.0 has made it that many people are reporting on the news themselves (I also realize the irony of writing this thing on magazines with the very medium that is killing it).

Yet does all of this really mean that airbrushing is done as a magazine's response to draw in readers during economic crisis? Maybe not, but here's a few more tidbits of information. Coincidentally, Barco Imaging (the original computer photoshopper) was first introduced right after the Black Tuesday on the stock market in 1987. Adobe introduced Photoshop during the economic recession in the early 1990's. Coincidence? Maybe so, but it was during those times that magazine publishers first started using them to alter images (Remember the Time controversy regarding its cover of OJ Simpson in 1994? Thanks Adobe).

What's even more bizarre is how unnecessary the photoshopping was for two such young, attractive stars on EW's cover. Kristen Stewart is 18 and pretty easy even on my gay eyes. And Robert Pattinson has already caused a frenzy of attention before the movie has even opened. If this is what is going to happen to the youth, what would this mean if the cover were to feature Cloris Leachman?

In the end, I'd rather have the magazine actually show up still every week than have it not happen at all. So if this is what needs to happen in order for my favourite magazine to still exist at all, then that's fine by me. Just know, EW, that your faithful readers couldn't care less how attractive the people are on the cover. Your magazine has never been about eye candy. Stick to the smart articles and leave the sexy to Maxim and Cosmo.

Who know though, maybe I'm wrong about all of this and all that's happen is they hired a new staff photoshopper. And he's not very good at his job.

Continue reading "Does Economic Crisis = Increased Photoshopping?"

I Want a Dance Biscuit

Read more! Paul Rudd and Beyonce were the hosts of Saturday Night Live this past weekend. However, the big surprise was the appearance of Justin Timberlake, who had to back out of his scheduled hosting gig, but was kind enough to stick around for a few skits. The best of the bunch? This riff on Beyonce's "Single Ladies" video, with Timberlake as one of her backup dancers. Watch below and enjoy!!

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Watching the Watchmen

Read more! The new Watchmen trailer, scheduled to be released with Quantum of Solace tomorrow, has been unveiled over at Yahoo Movies.

The film, loooooong in the making, is scheduled to be released March 6, 2009 (as long as Fox doesn't succeed in its attempt to block the film's release over a dispute with Warner Bros.). The trailer features plenty of eye candy for fans of the graphic novel.

Alright, just stop wasting time already and watch it below!!

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FunnyorDie is Awesome

Read more! Thanks to the Upright Citizens Brigade for bringing this to FunnyorDie.com. an you imagine if this actually happened? Larry King would be soooooo screwed. Watch below and have a laugh.

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

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Absorb This: Hilton and Solondz Weirdest. Combo. Ever.

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In what may be the most bizarre movie news I've heard all year, Paris Hilton is getting another chance at acting credability. And this time, someone who actually has some film cred is giving it to her. That would be Todd Solondz. If you've never heard of him before, Solondz directed the critically acclaimed Happiness and Welcome to the Dollhouse, two of the most acclaimed films of the 90's.

The yet-to-be-titled film is said to be a semi-sequel to Happiness, which circled around a various neighbours, including a pedophile. The original won numerous awards, including the International Critic's Prize at Cannes. The sequel will center around a family dealing with the challenges of living during wartime. No word as of yet on what Hilton's role will be.

Whatever the role is, this is certainly a step up from National Lampoon videos of Hilton. Solondz's films have been acclaimed for their ark satire on American society, and often include controversial subjects such as rape, pedophilia and abortion. Whatever the role may be, it certainly gives Hilton an opportunity beyond screaming her face off in horror films. The move seems similar to that of Lindsay Lohan a few years ago, when she did a stint of indie films in order to gain some acting credibility to overshadow her tabloid-centric personal life. While this seems to be Hilton's attempt at doing the same thing, it didn't exactly pan out for Lohan, so we'll see how this goes for her socialite cohort. Continue reading "Absorb This: Hilton and Solondz Weirdest. Combo. Ever."

And Now On a Lighter Note...

Read more! After getting a tad too serious with the previous post, I thought I'd lighten things up around here. And what better way to do that than by watching a live feed of an entire playpen full of puppies?!?!?!?!?!?

Enjoy!!!

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One Step Forward, Another Step Back

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Tuesday was a great day to be an American. After eight years being spent lead by a corrupt administration headed by a Commander in Chief who had become more of a bumbling sitcom character than an international leader, Americans finally got things right by electing Barack Obama. Finally, there was a U.S. election that wasn't officially decided weeks later in Florida. Finally, a leader who was elected whom the people can actually (hopefully) count on to follow through on the promises of change and hope. Finally, as Sherri Shepard from The View (who, of all people, had me close to tears yesterday) put it, African-Americans everywhere can tell their children that they truly can be anything they want to be in this world. Like I said, it was a truly great day to be an American.

Unless you're gay and living in California. In that case, you may have just had your marriage turned invalid.

CONTINUE READING AFTER THE JUMP



Overall, it hasn't exactly been a great week for the gays. First, on Monday Grey's Anatomy's Brooke Smith was fired from the show after ABC execs allegedly took a disliking to her lesbian character. While it seems unlikely that the normally gay-friendly network (home of gay faves such as Ugly Betty and Brothers and Sisters) would do such a thing, the fact that Greys' own Patrick Demspey admitted on Ellen yesterday that ABC tried to script his reaction to the firing for the show, something smells fishy (no lesbian pun intended).

Then Tuesday night arrives, and it turns out that not only California's Proposition 8 has passed (thus allowing a Constitutional amendment that would define marriage in Cali as between a man and a woman), but similar, rights-stripping ballot measures have also passed in Arizona, Florida and Arkansas. The only thing that hasn't made the whole week a total loss for Team Gay is that Lance Bass is still on Dancing with the Stars (and you know it's been a bad week when...)

What this means is that the Constitutional amendment will go forward for now, with lots more protesting along the way from both sides. In the meantime, while government officials has stated that the 18,000 marriages already conducted in Cali since it became legal in May will stay valid, it's left many questioning where the LGBT community stands. Ellen DeGeneres recently issued this statement, saying: "This morning, when it was clear that Proposition 8 had passed in California, I can't explain the feeling I had. I was saddened beyond belief. Here we just had a giant step towards equality and then on the very next day, we took a giant step away. I believe one day a 'ban on gay marriage' will sound totally ridiculous. In the meantime, I will continue to speak out for equality for all of us,".

So if it sounds so ridiculous, how did this happen, especially in arguably the most liberally-minded state in America? Apparently, the strength of countless celebrities, Barack Obama and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger speaking out against Prop 8 were all not enough against the power of the religious right. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints moved members from Utah to California, and between them and various other groups, over $30 million was poured into ensuring a Yes on Prop 8. What looked like a formidable victory against the Proposition a few months ago, quickly escalated into a heated war between both sides. While celebrities such as Ellen, Brad Pitt and Steven Spielberg made donations to help strike down 8, it was apparently futile against the Mormon church as well as the donations of many power-brokers from Newport Beach.

So now, gay Californians are back where they were back in April, only this time with the added disappointment of having been given their rights, and then having them taken away. While the fight regarding Prop 8 continues to wage on, I must ask, had the ballot measure actually failed, would this have made the LGBT community any more equal? Would its opponents not be doing what gay Californians are doing now, protesting and filing lawsuits? It just shows that while the law may be changed, the ideology of the United States can only be changed by continuing to do what we, like so many minorities, have done over the years: educate and inform to promote change for equal rights around the world. Maybe then everyone can be told they can be whatever they want when they grow up.

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Well They Just Lost it For You Too, Carrie

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So Carrie Underwood said yesterday that she chooses not to endorse specific political candidates, stating: "There is someone I do support, but I don't support publicly. I lose all respect for celebrities when they back a candidate." (Which is a much more PR-friendly way of saying "I'm a closet Republican").

So while it's all fine and dandy that Carrie chooses not to disclose which candidate she supports, at the same time, she's taken a stab at almost every notable celebrity in America as well. People such as Oprah, Jennifer Aniston, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Will Smith, Jay-Z, Beyonce, and more (also known as a group of celebrities with much more power than an American Idol country crooner). Yet what do all of these dissed celebrities also have in common? The fact that while they have all endorsed a candidate, at the same time, they have also greatly encouraged that people vote, no matter for what party they choose. I've had my eye on these PSA's and ads, encouraging people of all ages to vote, and Carrie doesn't appear in any of them.

So while Ms. Underwood may believe that these fellow entertainers are falsely influencing people to vote for them with their endorsements, at the same time, what they're encouraging just as strongly is a true democratic process by telling people to vote, no matter for whom they choose to do so. Yes, an endorsement from Oprah is big, but her encouraging true democracy is even bigger.

Furthermore, Ms. Underwood states "Music is where you go to get away from all the BS. Whether it's from politics or just the world around you, music should be an escape." While this is true, has the girl never stepped outside of Nashville? Has she never listened to any songs by U2, Bruce Springsteen, Greenday, Madonna or Bob Dylan? Some of the best music ever created has been boldly political, and the world is all the better for it. Take away the politics from music, and all we have is "Before He Cheats".

So Carrie, you can keep your endorsement to yourself. That's great, and at least you've informed yourself on the process enough to have an opinion and know who you want to support. Just don't expect the Big O to have you on her show next time you want to promote an album.

Gee, maybe that song "So Small" was about her brain. Continue reading "Well They Just Lost it For You Too, Carrie"

They Couldn't Be That Stupid, Could They?

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So today is (finally) the big day in the U.S. That's right, the day has finally come where people will choose between Barack Obama and John McCain. It's now become heavily favoured that after 8 years of idiotic GOP bumbling, Americans are going to vote in Obama over McCain. Yay!!! If Obama wins, that's great, because the U.S. could use a change in opinions and views after years of Republicans screwing up various things. Such as starting a fake war. Screwing the economy. Screwing the environment. Just to name a few. So after so desperately wanting change for the past year, could Americans really be so stupid to give it to the party that won't be that change?

While it seems unlikely, hit after the jump to see some other things done by Americans that were colossally stupid.



Idiotic Things We Have Americans To Thank For:

-The McRib

-Nipples on the Batsuit

-Ann Coulter

-Bill O'Reilly

-Lady Gaga

-Paris Hilton's singing career

-The cancellation of Arrested Development

-Whoever the turd was who decided it would be a good idea for teachers to bring guns to school

-The unexplained famousness of the Olsen Twins

-Fred Phelps

-Allowing Shia LaBeouf to grow out his facial hair

-This.

-This.

-And definitely this.

So tonight, if by some ridiculous measure John McCain wins, just remember, sometimes Americans make stupid decisions. That's why According to Jim is still on the air.


Continue reading "They Couldn't Be That Stupid, Could They?"

A Message to Marvel Studios

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Dear Marvel Studios,

First off, I just want to say that I'm a big fan of you guys. Big fan. Huge, if you will. Even as a lifelong diehard Batman fan, my bias between the two big comics giants has always been with you guys. Since my childhood a large part of my (and my parent's) disposable income has been spent on action figures, comic books, lining up for your films, buying the special-edition DVD's, even the video games. Yes, the X-Men sucked me in at an early age, and my addiction to all things Marvel happily spread to the Fantastic Four, Hulk, Iron Man, and so on as a result.

When news broke a few years ago that you would be starting your own film studio, after the successes of the X-Men and Spiderman franchises, I was jazzed. After all, what this meant was that the superhero movie boom, something that I had happily blown more than a few dollars on, would continue for some time to come. So fast-forward from 2005 to now, and I've spent quite a few moments in 2008 noticing a few things regarding you, Marvel Studios, and your stars. Namely that you might be totally screwing the pooch.

CONTINUED HERE



The main reason I started thinking about this, was because of this new report today of why Terrence Howard got the boot from Iron Man 2, and the reason for it wasn't just because of Howard's reported difficulty onset, but because of salary issues. To sum it up, you replaced Howard with Don Cheadle because Howard refused a reduced salary from what he received in the first film.

This made me recall earlier in the year, when Edward Norton refused to do any press for The Incredible Hulk, after spending months feuding with your studio heads over the content of the film (Norton wanted more character development for Bruce Banner, you guys wanted more action. You won out in the end, but Norton's cut scenes are on the DVD). While Hulk made back its budget, it didn't exactly turn out to be The Dark Knight, did it? Let's face it, it hardly even turned out to be Fantastic Four.

So essentially, you've independently released two movies, with a few more on their way, ad we're already getting word from multiple sides saying that you're not working so well with your stars. Yes, those crazy, egotistical actors. They get paid to much, they show up late, party too hard, and cause trouble onset like only an over-entitled diva could. But guess what? They're also a big reason that a movie can tip the line between Spiderman and Daredevil. It's their talent.

People go to see superhero movies because they want to see superheroes do superhero things in superhero ways. That includes lots of crazy good guys and bad guys with lots of crazy powers and lots of crazy scenarios in grand places (insert Arctic/Golden Gate Bridge/Afghanistan/ Brazilian Jungle here). But what elevates a superhero movie from good (or mediocre) to great, is always an actor bringing a legendary superhero to life. Heath Ledger's pretty much a lock on an Oscar nod because he made the Joker the iconic villain of the year. Hugh Jackman became a star by seamlessly embodying Wolverine in the X-Men films. You guys watched Robert Downey Jr. revive his career this year in your own Iron Man, and propel it into the 2nd biggest movie of the year ('twas not that fancy suit that kept bringing everyone back for a second round of Tony Stark).

There are lots of talented people essential to making a great film, however, the majority of the moviegoing public doesn't care about anyone else but who they see on screen. That's who they connect to. Not only that, but the talent that actors such as Norton and Howard bring to these projects is a rare find in mass commercial fare.

So now you guys are going to continue to move forward, but at what cost? Couldn't an extra ten minutes of Norton's suggested character development actually saved the relationship with the actor, and thus save any future sequels from having Bruce Banner be played by three actors in as many movies? And it's not like Terrence Howard is Johnny Depp and costs $30 million. Maybe you could have just paid him the same amount as the first film and kept him happy, especially since you were probably planning on keeping him around to pimp out a War Machine movie in the next few years?

I only say this because I have concern for you, Marvel Studios. Actors talk to each other, and if you keep on shitting the bed with the ones you work with, maybe eventually most of the good ones won't want to work with you anymore. And that could be an issue. After all, Iron Man was good, but DC totally stole your thunder with The Dark Knight this summer, and now they plan on rolling out all of their big characters too. So learn to play nice, Marvel Studios. Because if Jessica Alba is going to continue being in your movies, I'm lining up for Wonder Woman.

Continue reading "A Message to Marvel Studios"