The Boys of Summer

-- Dorothy Snarker from AfterEllen.com

I like superhero movies. I really do. They're fun and fast and the costumes are faaaa-bulous. Straight men in stretchy fabric and capes – this is better than figure skating! This summer's heroic roster includes Iron Man, Batman and The Incredible Hulk. And as great as those crime fighters are, they’re also a reminder that when it comes to superhero movies, no women need apply  – this is man country.

New York Times film critic Manohla Dargis recently opined on the lack of women heroes and women— period — in today's big budget blockbusters. Could this be the realization of Warner Brothers exec Jeff Robinov's decree that the studio would not make any more movies with female leads? Dargis thinks so:

 

Exclusive: Jennifer Hudson’s Pocketbook-Swinging Sex and the City Interview

 

The world-at-large is waiting with Cosmo-baited breath for the release of the Sex and the City movie in two weeks (May 30th)! Ready for some Carrie Bradshow fashion roadkill??? Some Samantha spunk-talk? Miranda scowling and Charlotte baby-obsessing? Well, yes. You are. But you also need to get extra-ready because you're gonna see a glowing and sassy Oscar-winner onscreen when Jennifer Hudson appears as Louise, a sweet NYC newbie who snags a job as Carrie's handbag-obsessed assistant. It's a cute turn, and Hudson brings some youth and fresh air to the ensemble — and she looks fab.

And no she doesn't sing in the film. But you can hear her croon the closing tune of the film, "All Dressed in Love" — which is a very retro-disco glam/upbeat anthem all about fashion, passion and a chunky groovin' beat. Bless!!!

 

Here's a Q&A we nabbed with J-Hud at the recent Sex and the City junket in NYC. She's hot! And tall. And outspoken. And how many Oscar winners do you really get to dish with about fashion, boys and pre-nups, okayyyy? But let's her tell it.

 

Angry Puppy Video Blog: Quick & Dirty Edition

-- Brian Juergens from AfterElton.com

In this week's abbreviated episode, Marc and Lee bring you a report on the Queer Media and Entertainment Conference (two words: Dawn. Wiener.), updates on the latest episodes of Lost, Doctor Who and Battlestar Galactica and details on voting for the Angry Puppy Hot Geek 10.

Oh, and there's a painting dog.

 

Check it out after the break!

 

Julie Goldman's Celesbian Interviews Special: MARIAH HANSON

 

-- Sarah Warn from AfterEllen.com

Julie and Kate McKinnon talk to Club Skirts founder Mariah Hanson about Dinah Shore, same-sex marriage, and tiger tamers.

Check back next week for another Celesbian Interview, and watch previous episodes here.

 

New Gnarls Barkley Video - "Going On"

 

Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo are back at it - well, they're not present in this video, but ... - with their second The Odd Couple single. And it's a cool one. Filmed in Jamaica, the video opens with the text, A group of friends celebrate their discovery of a portal to another dimension.

And so it goes: Upon discovering a magic door, a community of amazing dancers parade down their street to determine where this portal leads. I love the concept paired with the cryptic, melancholy lyrics.

 

In Gnarls news, the band will play a "secret" show in New York on June 8, according to NME. And after the jump, you can watch a snippet of "Going On" MTV filmed when Gnarls was its Artist of The Week - featuring some mildly-enthused furries.

 

Daily Buzz Bits: Crime Doesn't Pay at Marc Jacobs

 

Chris Crocker has a new man, or a new pap-hunting buddy, in porn star Cameron Michaels. Mmm - can't wait for that sex tape. - Dlisted

Don't be scared, Cheyenne! Just kidding ... Xanadu's gay fave is totally comfortable around Harvey Fierstein at the New Dramatists Luncheon in NYC. – Getty

Hot Mess is right, you two! Gay blogger/outing machine Jonathon Jaxson filed papers yesterday against Perez for supposedly soliciting X-rated home movies from him. Grossest lawsuit ever. - Radar

Yes, Tyra probably made it happen, but I'm still happy a plus-sized model won America's Next Top Cover Girl Commercial Star for One Month. - Dlisted

The New York Marc Jacobs theft was an inside job! How could this employee do such a thing to Marc? And after he posed nude for him! - Towleroad

 

Duffy Interview With NewNowNext!

 

From waiting tables and recording demos in a village in northern Wales, to producing a debut that spent five weeks at No. 1 in The U.K., to appearing on TRL in the U.S. this week, small-town, 23-year-old Duffy admits overnight stardom is a tad ... foreign.

You've probably heard her lounge-y, soulful - but don't say Amy Winehouse-esque! - single "Mercy" at this point, which is all about pleading for sexual liberty. And if you haven't, check it after the jump ... as well our exclusive interview!

 

Duffy and I talked about the 'only gay' in her village, performing at New York's Hiro and transitioning from a life inside her own head to one in the public eye.

 

Read the Q&A after the jump!

 

The Witchblade Movie: Who’s Sharp Enough to Play Sara?

-- the linster from AfterEllen.com

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me a dozen times, shame on you, again —  especially if you’re a production company that has sucked me in time after time with the promise of a great, comic-based female action hero movie or TV series. Case in point: Elektra.

Jennifer Garner as Elektra, for all her tight, skimpy outfits, awesome abs and ass-kicking goodness, was not the Elektra of comic books. She was more like Elektra on Xanax. Sure, I watch the movie every time it’s on, but I’m superficial that way.

Catwoman was even worse — so bad that I haven’t watched it more than once, despite the presence of Halle Berry in this outfit.

 

New R.E.M. "Hollow Man" Music Video

 

For R.E.M.'s second Accelerate single, the band recruited graphic design studio CRUSH to create the manifested lyrics and the oft-overwhelming digital graphics. I'm guessing that's part of the experience, though. Front man Michael Stipe sings, 'I'm overwhelmed / I'm on repeat' in his plea for someone to save him from what he's become.

I do enjoy the mixing in of the human condition - although the band members don't appear - with an interpretation of the near-constant sensory parade from the media. Not to get philosophical on y'all ... but R.E.M. does bring that out, right?

 

And watch the video for lead Accelerate single, "Supernatural Superserious," after the jump...

 

Five Observations About Battlestar Galactica

Jean Barolay (Alisen Down) in Episode 3.11, "Rapture"
Photo credit: Sci Fi/Eike Schroter

 

-- Malinda Lo from AfterEllen.com

Last week's Battlestar Galactica episode, "Faith," rocked the house. This whole season, though, has been incredible, delving into complex, challenging issues such as religion, mortality and politics. This is not TV lite, therefore I rarely watch it on Friday nights at 10 p.m., since by then my brain is fried from the previous week's work and I can't concentrate with the appropriate amount of attention.

So, after watching "Faith" on DVR delay, I have a few observations to share with you about this most recent episode of BSG. (Please note: No attempt at synopsis has been made; for a synopsis, go here. This post is pure critique and conjecture.)

 

1. Starbuck has a fan base in the BSG world, too.

 

New Metro Station "Shake It" Video

 

I can't complain about the The Hills-friendly, bite-sized pop that is "Shake It," the third single from the Cali band's self-titled debut. The video concept makes me think of America's Best Dance Crew ... not that I've ever seen that show. But who let all these hipsters into this beautiful theater? Oh, there's security.

I know I said this after I watched Metro Station's "Control" video, but I greatly prefer tattooed Trace Cyrus to the band's other vocalist Mason Musso, who comes off cheesy and Angels & Airwaves-y. ... Sorry. That wasn't called for.

 

Daily Buzz Bits: Brody Jenner's Bromance, Everyone Nose Lindsay

 

The, um, National Enquirer reported Jodie Foster and her "beautiful Cydney" are no longer together ... you know ... "together." – NY Daily

Lindsay - since you're still on probation and all, you might not want to guest in N*E*R*D's "Everyone Nose" video, what with its not-so-subtle attack on your ... former behavior and all. - Idolator

The upcoming MTV reality spin-off starring god-like Brody Jenner will be called Bromance. Thank you,  Ryan Seacrest Productions! - EOnline

The Vicky Cristina Barcelona trailer is pretty darn steamy – mostly because of the Javier Bardem, Scar-Jo and Penelope Cruz making-out footage. - Egotastic

Posh said the only men checking for her now, other than her husband, I'm assuming, are gay men. Oh ... we are? – The Sun

Janet Jackson showed up to Alexander McQueen's L.A. store launch party in one of the designer's more experimental creations. The cones totally make it. – Faded Youth

 

The Top Three Battle It Out on Idol

Photo credit: FOX

 

-- carolinagrrrl from AfterEllen.com

It’s do-or-die time on American Idol, and I can happily say that Syesha Mercado is still alive and kicking.  While most Idol "experts" (and even some judges) will tell you that the finals should come down to a battle of the two Davids, I've been hoping for a small miracle that would allow Syesha to strut her stuff into the finals. Last night she may have gotten her opportunity.

The show was split up into three pseudo-rounds: In the first round, songs were chosen by a judge, in the second the contestants chose their own songs, and lastly the producers made selections.

 

The Hills Recap Vlog: The Finale Is Driving Us Apart!

 

Is it really over? Jon and I are almost relieved, to be real with y'all! For our final vlog, we explain why The Hills needs to acknowledge the actual lives of its cast and which (alleged) sex tape we'd really like to see!

 

 

Casting Begins for Upcoming RuPaul's Drag Race Reality Show!

 

You better wuuurk! ... That is, if you want to be America's Next Top Drag Queen - er - Drag Queen Superstar!

Up there with I Love Money in the realm of too-good-to-be-real ridiculous reality TV, Logo will air an ANTM/Project Runway-esque competition that pits drag wannabes against each other, with superstar RuPaul as judge and mentor! Seriously. Drag is an art, and these divas are ready to compete.

To quote the master, "Tell Tyra that the Queen has returned, and while you’re at it have Heidi clear the runway. I’m going to pump some 'realness' into reality." Well, RuPaul certainly could take on Ty-Ty if it came down to it. Blood and weave everywhere!

 

 

The show won't air until 2009, but until then, you've got to check out the casting site for RuPaul's Drag Race. Updated daily, the site lets hopefuls such as KayPasa (pictured above) create profiles, upload lip-synching audition videos and pitch to you why they've got the dragalicious goods to be on the show.

So get to voting - or enter yourself, if you think you're that fierce - 'cause you gays will determine who makes the cut. The next drag superstar needs you. Do your civic duty! And there's some classic RuPaul after the jump to get you into the proper spirits...