And if there was any bloomin' chance of my backing Clinton, I'd say this squelches it

There's a gem to be found in this news item headlined

Gay Clinton Backers Defect to Obama, Eroding Her Base

``Obama has presented more detailed position papers on gay and lesbian issues than Clinton,'' said David Mixner, 61, a writer and activist who helped longtime friend Bill Clinton win over the gay and lesbian vote during the 1992 presidential race and who supported both of Hillary Clinton's successful Senate races in New York.

This time, Mixner is backing Obama. The Clintons have become ``a machine, and Obama's the young reformer,'' said Mixner, who joined Obama's campaign after initially supporting former North Carolina Senator John Edwards, 54, who dropped out of the Democratic race last month.

But none of that, though I agree with much of it, is what I mean. I mean this:

Clinton backers include ... Eileen Chaiken, producer and creator of the ``L Word,'' a Showtime television series about lesbians...

Emphasis mine. Anybody here need me to say any more?

As for why gays who once supported Clinton are turning to Obama, well for one thing, there's the plainly evident fact that he's got more "Elvis" in this election. There's some irony in that, given what a big fan Bill is.

But there's a certain "all the chickens come home to roost" aspect to this as well.

While many gay and lesbian voters remain loyal Clinton supporters, Mixner said, others remain angry over her previous support of the Defense of Marriage Act.

Some also still tie her to the military's ``don't ask, don't tell'' policy instituted during her husband's presidency, which reversed a campaign pledge he made to allow gays to serve openly.

That's right. Keep fucking with people because you think they'll never desert you during an election, and then watch what happens when they see a chance to win without you.

The second-greatest lead paragraph to a movie review ever

By Jim Emerson, editor of rogerebert.com:

If Russ Meyer had made "The Other Boleyn Girl," Anne and Mary Boleyn would have yanked some hair, scratched some eyeballs, walloped each other in their respective kissers, and the movie would have been all the better for it.

That's it, Ms. Clinton. That's exactly what you need to do.

Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign has raised the possibility of a challenge to Texas' primary and caucus rules just days before the contest, drawing a warning against legal action from the state's Democratic Party.

Clinton political director Guy Cecil said he asked party officials to spell out the rules in memo form and to send them to both campaigns.

Texas party officials said they believed Cecil was threatening legal action and wrote a letter to him and to Obama senior strategist Steve Hildebrand reflecting that concern.

The letter also noted that many of Clinton's senior campaign advisers in Texas had helped to develop the rules governing the state's caucus system. A Texas party official also noted that former President Clinton won the state's caucuses in 1992 and 1996 following the same rules.

That's it, Ms. Clinton. Create the perception that your last desperate grasp for power is more important than the will of the people and the good of your party. Make it look as though you're willing to win on a technicality.

I say again: That's the other guys.

I do thank you, however, for continually silencing any remaining doubts I might have had, that my lack of faith in you is misplaced.

Better reserves of hotels of the world

If stays thinking about one hotimo place to reserve a good place in the best hotels of the HotelReservations.com world is simplismente the best option, always making the best reserves so that you it can be confortavel in the best hotels of the world well.

It goes to always count on the best estadis always with certain dates so that if it does not have no delay in its reserves, everything so that it can be tranquilo in its next viajens, HotelReservations.com is without doubts the best place to become reserve in an excellent hotel.

Now then you ja know where to go when to need an excellent reserve in one exlente hotel five stars, HotelReservations.com always goes to be the best option when if it deals with reserves in an excellent hotel, and uses to advantage to the maximum its stay.

tag: HotelReservations.com

Vivica Fox in Emanuel Ungaro

Plus Size Bathing Suits For All Figures

The reason so many of us hate shopping for plus size bathing suits is because we often don't know what style is the best for our figure. It's easy to pick the same unflattering style year after year. But, why not take a risk, and explore some new styles in plus size bathing suits? Let's review the most common figure complaints and find the most flattering styles.

Wide Hips, Big Thighs

This is probably the most common figure problem, but it can easily be camouflaged with the right suit. Look for one or two piece plus size bathing suits with high cut bottoms that will give the appearance of longer legs. If you are not comfortable with this much exposure, try a flirty swim skirt or sarong to cover the area. Avoid, at all costs, boy cut shorts. They can make your hips and thighs appear even larger and wider.

Tummy Bulge
Who doesn't have this problem? One-piece styles with shirring can mask an ample tummy. Suits with deep, plunging necklines will draw the eye upwards and away from the bulge. Stay away from skimpy bikinis and low-rise bottoms.

Busty

Do you have too much of a good thing? Yes, cleavage can look great, but you don't want to be falling out of your suit. Look for swimwear with built-in underwire bras, or halter tops for extra support. Don't reach for that string bikini, unless you want your fellow beachgoers to get an eyeful of you.

Small Bust

Find a suit that has foam padding and underwire uplift. Bright prints and ruffles around the neckline can help hide a less than ample bust.

Short Torso

Bathing suits with deep v-necks can elongate the body. Boy cut or board shorts that sit low on the hips can add length, as well. Stay away from high cut bottoms that can make your body appear even shorter.

Long Torso

Try a one-piece suit with high cut legs. You can break up the long vertical lines with a tankini that exposes a bit of midriff.

Now that you have a better idea of what will work with your body type, go ahead and try on a few new styles. Experiment with color and pattern, as well. It is not written anywhere that full figured women have to wear boring bathing suits. You might just find a flattering new look that is just right for you.

By Chirsty Diaz

Shorter Hillary Rodham Clinton

Vote for me, I'm female. Impressive, isn't it? Oh, and my husband got blow jobs from another woman. Vote for me.

Garfield - Garfield = Zen

Very Zen.

Check out the latest trailer for the new Disney-Pixar film, WALL•E.

I've been an animation fan pretty much all my life...and I still have no idea how they do it. I mean, I know how they do it, that is to say, I understand the process, in theory.

But I still don't know exactly how they can take a bunch of images like these and make them funny and cute.

Rihanna in Mara Hoffman

Camilla Belle in Gucci

Untitled II

From Jennifer Reed.

Finally saw Pan's Labyrinth...

...which really ought to be called Faun's Labyrinth, or The Labyrinth of the Faun, but never mind...



I assume most of you reading this beat me to it. But if you haven't seen this yet, I urge you unreservedly to do so. It is both beautifully devastating and devastatingly beautiful.

Guillermo del Toro would appear to be well on his way to being one of my favorite film fantasy storytellers. I only qualify that because I've not yet seen most of his films, just this and Hellboy.

But I've just brought Devil's Backbone home, so further bulletins if and when they happen.

There's some irony in my liking his films so much. I noticed watching some of the score-only track of Hellboy just how well it worked as a wordless film.

On the director's commentary to ...Labyrinth, del Toro states emphatically that he always tries to tell his stories visually, even going so far as to say that he hates dialogue.

Well. Them's fighting words, where I live. Granted some can overdo it (cough, Kevin Smith, cough), but as a rule, I love great, smart and witty dialogue, from Shakespeare to Sorkin.

Filmmakers that brazenly eschew dialogue in favor of visuals, no matter how imaginative, to my mind tend to make wet-blanket FX fests.

Why then am I so spellbound by del Toro's pictures, when I have no love for such movies as The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith?

I think because though del Toro may not chose to rely upon witty dialogue and the like...he has it in his quiver, as they say. He knows it when he hears it.

The dialogue here is sparse, yes, but (given that I have to assume through the translation) crisp.

OFELIA
My name is Ofelia.
Who are you?

FAUN
Me? I've had so many names...
Old names that only the wind and the trees can pronounce.
I am the mountain, the forest and the earth.
I am...
I am a faun.
Your most humble servant, Your Highness.

BTW, I took these images from the official site for Doug Jones, the actor who played "the Faun" (above) and "Pale Man" (below). In both cases he is with Ivana Baquero as Ofelia.



If you find them as grand as I do, permit me to recommend you go see more of it, especially this perfect but little-used promotional art by Drew Struzan.

Jones is also the active part, though not the voice, of Abe Sapien in the Hellboy films.

Just as while Hellboy is a lovely film simply to look at, it also has some very witty lines: "How big can it be?" "I'll always look this good." In context, even "Oh, crap!" is very funny.

--BTW, how much am I looking forward to Hellboy II? Let me put it this way: More so (much) than Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: A New Beginning.

Films like this and the Lord of the Rings trilogy make me even madder about what directors like Lucas and Andrew Adamson do in the name of storytelling.

(and no, it has not escaped my notice that del Toro is "the likely director of the next two 'Hobbit' movies“)

These films have a sweep to them, sometimes in the way they appear, but always in the way they feel. They show that it is possible to make epic films with extraordinary vistas and still have characters that I care about and dialogue that doesn't make me want to give myself a lobotomy.

Now that's a kind of magic I can believe in.

Rachel Bilson in Zac Posen

Yow!

Milk: It Does a Body Good.

Audrey Marnay in Yves Saint Laurent

Those leggings ruined the look, or otherwise, the shoes and the clutch are alright.

Any of you reading who can get through this without laughing should be given a Sapphire the size of the moon*

Your Birth Month is September

Tolerant and inspirational, you are wise beyond your years. You are universally sympathetic and a great humanitarian. Your soul reflects: Devotion, light, and love Your gemstone: Sapphire Your flower: Morning Glory Your colors: Brown and deep blue

What Does Your Birth Month Mean?

*Not by me, of course, but you should.

On the bright side

After The Rapture, there will be a lot of free hats.

"A rose is a rose is a rose" my ass

Some roses are definitely more favored by God than the others.

Marion Cotillard in Jean Paul Gaultier

Best Actress, best dressed.

Sarah Larson in Valentino

Jessica Alba in Marchesa

Rosamund Pike in Roland Mouret

Miley Cyrus in Valentino

Portia De Rossi in Lanvin

This one's a special dedication going out to the Viper

What every housewife wears to do the gardening

Right?

Random Flickr-blogging 3206

He had come to our land seeking only our love and cookies...sadly, he found only hatred and artificiality.

Credit.

Wear your inside out

This is awesome. I don't know if it's somebody's original interpretation of the music, or just setting to it scenes from a movie or something that already existed, but it's Gabriel. And it's wonderful.

I thought of this song when I was playing "eyesy-closey" this morning, which is why I went looking for it. This has always been, in my opinion, one of his most special songs.

That's my President

Obama fights back on questions about his patriotism

Just read it.

You. Have. Got to be. Kidding me!

Consumer advocate Ralph Nader announced he was a candidate for president during an appearance on NBC's "Meet The Press" Sunday.

Nader said he was launching a third party campaign, because he feels neither the Democratic Party, nor the Republican Party are addressing ways to stop corporate crime, outrageous Pentagon spending or labor rights.

Nader ran third party campaigns in 2000 and 2004. Many Democrats still believed it was his campaign that cost Al Gore the 2000 presidential election by taking votes in Florida that would have gone to Gore.

Not to repeat myself, but I'm still wondering: When exactly did Ralph Nader become insane? And I voted for him in 2000 (Why? One word: Lieberman) and feel no shame about it--Gore was gonna take Washington anyway.

But at this point, does he really think he's doing more good than harm?

Tang Wei in Dolce & Gabbana

Fanny Ardant in Dolce & Gabbana

Molly Sims in Missoni

Julianne Moore in 6267

Dear Gwen: I must have the name of your decorator

Obama...the black man, right?

Two consecutive headlines on Yahoo!:

• Clinton criticizes Obama over mailings
• Obama raps McCain on lobbyists

Emphasis mine.

ETA: They changed the headline:

• Clinton criticizes Obama over mailings
• Obama: McCain puts lobbyists 'in charge'

I claim full intent and credit.

Art and song

We were touched by a cold wind, my father and I
The sound of desperate breathing her fear inside us all

Photo title unknown
Photographer: Rebecca Rome

Song: Hole in the River, Neil Finn/Eddie Rayner

Well...apart from the vow of silence...

Your Score: The Monk

You scored 39% Cardinal, 51% Monk, 29% Lady, and 32% Knight!

You live a peaceful, quiet life. Very little danger comes your way and you live a long time. You are wise and modest, but also stagnant. You have little comfort, little food and have taken a vow of silence. But who needs chatter when just sitting in the cloister of your abbey with The Good Book makes you perfectly content.

Link: The Who Would You Be in 1400 AD Test

Fergie in Versace

Marion Cotillard in Jean Paul Gaultier couture

Salma Hayek in Alexander McQueen

This is a good morning to read that my "Life" has been renewed

With the writers back, NBC has gone forward with renewing Chuck, Life and Heroes for the 2008-2009 season.

First, learn to spell. Second...

This is the sight of my soul

Two words...

In a peak scene in John Turturro’s "homemade musical," Romance and Cigarettes, Susan Sarandon comes to the lingerie shop in which Kate Winslet, who is Sarandon's husband's lover, works. to confront her.

Just watching these two women, two of the best and best-looking actresses alive, square off across a counter is enough to make the heart leap.

Just when you think it can't get any better, it does. How? Two words:

Cat fight!

(Somebody filmed my dream!)

Besides writing a script which is nearly equal parts fun and grim, as director, many of Turturro's shots are well-chosen, and he gives his actors space in which to do solid work.

Turturro is a talented actor himself: Do The Right Thing, Quiz Show, a recurring part on Monk as Adrian's brother, To Live and Die in L.A., the amazingly underrated Luzhin Defense, Cradle Will Rock, Summer of Sam; Jungle Fever.

That probably goes without saying, but I say it anyway because I think it had a lot to do with why his cast trusted him so much, which they clearly did.

For James Gandolfini to agree to play the lead character in a musical (yes! He sings! He dances!)...well, I infer a great deal of trust from that.

Gandolfini, along with Sarandon, is an actor singing, not a singer trying to act. He acts beautifully and sings movingly in-character, overcoming any feared ridicule for his rusty croak of a voice by virtue of the emotion with which he sings.

Songs ranging from Engelbert Humperdinck to Bruce Springsteen to Irving Berlin, I might add.

--It probably doesn't hurt that I'm one of the few (apparently) who never quite got on board with The Sopranos. If you were, I can see how that might be a stumbling block.

Sarandon, as Gandolfini's wounded wife, to my knowledge hasn't sung in a film since her Rocky Horror days. Her voice may have lost some of its purity but it's hard to tell because just as likely, she was making choices for how this character would sing. In a word, bluesy.

And then there's Winslet. What can I say about her that won't make this read like it was written on ecstasy? She's beautiful, desirable, admirable and bound to win an Oscar before she dies. Here she's all sex and all soul and all heart in one.

I already knew from Heavenly Creatures that Winslet has a lovely singing voice, but she should use it more often, her performances here scorch, love and heartbreak.

She reminds me in a way, here, of Julie Andrews, only the woman we've long heard Andrews really is behind the limited Sound of Mary Poppins public image.

The one who famously replied to a new writer on her TV show's intention to "dirty up" that image by dryly asking, "Would it help if I screwed the band?"

Winslet's character too has a mouth like a sailor's girlfriend (which now that I think of it, she is-Gandolfini's character is an ex-Navy man).



But Turturro has the wit and skill as a writer, and Winslet the gifts as an actress, that we can see the soft edges of a girl who tells the lover who is trying to leave her,

"You couldn't say that if I was licking your balls."

Eddie Izzard does a turn as a sympathetic priest, coming off much better than he did in Across The Universe, maybe because Turturro makes of him better use, giving him the talking parts of "Ten Commandments of Love" ("Thou shalt never love another...").

As written, only Gandolfini and Sarandon are given much in the way of an "arc," the supporting players like Mandy Moore, as one of the couple's daughters, have to take their moments.

Moore rocks; now I'm even more flattered that she's got that little crush on me. Oddly, the one member of the cast who is a professional singer, she doesn't have as many good musical moments.

This is due mostly to the fact that her character is in a bad band with her sisters. But, we do get to see her deliver a verse and chorus of "I Want Candy," which ain't too bad, izit?

Moore makes up for rarely being given a musical spotlight with the way she draws you in during her dramatic scenes. I couldn't keep my eyes off her, and in a film also starring Sarandon, Winslet, and Mary-Louise Parker, that is a compliment.

But I got a better one. I also started thinking which of my characters I'd like to see her play, and if there's a higher compliment I can give an actress, I don't know it.

Mary-Louise Parker appears to have lost the most in the editing...
though she looks like a (fallen) angel and inhabits her character, another daughter, believably and well.

But at least two of her best scenes can only be viewed in the "deleted..." section.

In one of these, BTW, she is seen kissing another woman, which ought to get some segments of her fanbase breathing heavily.

I would have kept her character built up and cut Christopher Walken back down. I'm just not as charmed by Walken as it seems many are.



Turturro's cousin, Aida, has a great moment or two in the main film as the third daughter.

Also, in the deleted scenes, there's a joke he played on her. While shooting a scene in which she, eyes closed and in bed, starts to both verbalize and lose herself in a romantic fantasy, he had a crew member strip down to his underpants, get in bed and lie on top of her.

But, seriously, folks...

I really enjoyed and liked this film. It's fair to say that it's uneven, but what I would have cut and sewed back on in order to "even it out" is not what anybody else would have (see above comments).

And it's still a better film musical than, say, Chicago.

As a whole, the film (and the experience of watching it) both warmed my heart and broke it.

Warmed, because Turturro reveals in the commentary and interviews that he began writing this picture and thinking about it while he was acting in Barton Fink.

Don't bother to go Yahoo! I'll tell you that film was released in 1991.

That's a long time to keep a dream.

But broke my heart, because one of the things the film is about is some people having to come to terms with the realization that they're probably not going to "make it."

You may have to make an effort to find this one, but it's well worth it.

(Almost) whatever they have to do to keep the Lights on is worth it...

Zap2It on the rare if not unique attempt being made to ensure a third season of Friday Night Lights...

A Pippin of the '80s (and beyond)

There's a famous quote from Horace Walpole:

The world is a comedy for those who think and a tragedy for those who feel.

It's funny, but when I think about the documentary The King Of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters, I think of that quote.

I remember my pal Corey Klemow recommending it and saying it was very funny, which it is--there are one or two parts where I wanted to say: Do these people know they're in an SCTV sketch?

And few things can make one feel more smugly superior than watching people caring deeply about something you care about hardly at all.

But what's most compelling about the story--a clash of the titanically pathetic kind to see who can get the highest score on Donkey Kong and get into Guinness--is its poignancy.

Yes, really. See, one of the players comes off as a self-important twat. I don't use that word as a slur very often, but there are times when only a twat will do, and I wanted to dispense with this one quickly.

Because what I'm really concerned with here is the other fellow, Steve Wiebe by name, who actually lives right around here in Seattle. He's shown as a perennial also-ran, always in second place; never in first.

But he also has this loving family.

That's them at left, Steve atop the machine.

His knockout wife is to his right, and I don't mean knockout just in the sense of being sexually attractive--though as you can see she's very pretty.

You can tell she's long-suffering--to its credit the film doesn't play around about that. But in interviews with her talking about her husband, you see just how much she is in his corner.

It's like a dream of what you would want a life partner to be.

His toddler son (sitting in front) is cute, too, and his elementary-age daughter, Jillian (to Steve's left), is precocious and smart.

She might indeed have the best line of the movie.

Jillian: I never knew that the Guinness World Record Book was so... I never knew it was so important.
Steve: I guess a lot of people are... yeah, a lot of people read that book.
Jillian: [looking at her father] Some people sort of ruin their lives to be in there.

And so watching this I think dude, you have a great life already.

I feel like I have spit in comparison.

Yet still he wasn't satisfied.

Kerry Washington in Elie Saab

Nicole Kidman in Balenciaga

Georgina Chapman in Marchesa

Angie Harmon in Valentino