Best Road Movies Ever? What About Thelma, Louise, Brad & Pee Wee?

Wha...? Men don't love Thelma & Louise?

The fashionable men over at Men.Style.com, the online home of Details and GQ (the latter with its now-fussed-over pics of Bruno playing football with high-school lads) have another feature up on their site that caught my eye. They're picking the 10 Best Road Movies Ever. And surprise, the results are dude-centric so far.

I can't argue with classics like Easy Rider, National Lampoon's Vacation (a big fave of mine) or the amazing Badlands (Sissy Spacek!). But Sideways? Zzzzz... And they're missing some serious estrogen and homo-filled road flicks in there. C'mon men, loosen up!

Here are some they're missing...

Thelma & Louise is only one of the best road movies in the entire world. Sweet yet take-charge women who've had it. In a convertible. With guns. And some amped-up feminist ass-kicking.

Plus, amazing performances by Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Harvey Keitel and this one guy who made a big impact...

More great road flicks -- including some gays with guns -- after the jump.

"Amazing Gay Stuff" Vlog: The 10 Classic Gay Movies You Gotta See!

Gay music and video from NewNowNext.com

In every gay's life there are some movies that are monumental. Maybe they're touching coming out stories (like Beautiful Thing) or pulpy self-loathing drama fests (The Boys in the Band) or just sexy hot flicks (Bound). But we all love discussing which movies are totally gay classics...

That's why Liz Dahmen and John Polly are sounding off in a new vloggy mini-series called Amazing Gay Stuff, which you'll find here (and as part of Amazon’s Gay & Lesbian Store), and which will serve up fun rundowns of what are some of the most-loved gay films, TV series and more.

This week it's all about the most essential gay movies you need to see. And it's a fun batch. From But I'm a Cheerleader to All About Eve, watch John and Liz sound off on films make their big all-time must-see lists.

And if you get inspired to actually buy them, those folks at Amazon can hook you up!

Now, pass the popcorn, ya big gay!

MTV Picks Music's Glammest Guys!

Adam Lambert: The next Glam Music God?

This got posted a couple of days ago, but it's worth checking out "Adam Lambert & 20 More of Music's Glammest Guys" over on MTV's Buzzworthy blog. Yes, we all know La Lambert is a bedazzle-licious icon in the making, but what about all the fancy gents who came before? Boy George! Freddie Mercury! Kanye, even! And yes, El Debarge!

Have a look at all the male prettiness and hair product. Fabooooooo!

Hot 100 Voting Frenzy: Dennis Hensley Weighs In!

Gay video from AfterElton.com

The voting is getting frantic over at AfterElton.com, as man-lovers are chiming in to rank the hottest men in showbiz (and beyond). Yep, they're assembling this year's HOT 100, which is their annual survey to find out who gay men think are kings of the studly heap.

Watch funnyman Dennis Hensley's festive vlog above, to see who some of NYC's cutest and funniest are sweating for. Then go to AfterElton's Hot 100 Voting page and let 'em know who pitches your tent.

It's springtime, after all. Feel it!

'09 Movies for Your Inner Tween

Yes, you're way too old to be obsessed with High School Musical, the Jonas Bros or Miley (even though Miss Cyrus' "See You Again" was actually pretty good). But who cares? You've probably got a neice or nephew (or a kid of your own) who looooves all the tween megastars! (Or you're just a juvenile gay.) And frankly, Zac Efron has fans of all ages (you dirty old thing, you)...

So MTV has put together a roster of the OMG!-worthy films of 2009 coming your way. Think the Jonases. And Miley. And Ashley Tisdale. And even that ancient old broad Hilary Duff.

To get you started, our family member Kim Stolz breaks it down for you... And yes, they have made another version of body-swapping Big/13 Going on 30 story. But this one has abs!

Best Gay Year Ever? It's Time for the AfterElton & AfterEllen 2008 Visibility Awards!

It was the best of times (Obama wins! Rachel Maddow! Ellen! Matthew Mitcham! Torchwood!), it was the worst of times (Prop 8, Grey's axes its lesbians, Katy Perry). And all year big gay entertainment sites AfterElton and AfterEllen have been keeping close tabs.

Now they're announcing the winners (and losers) of their 2008 Visibility Awards! And you voted! Check each of them and see how your faves like Brothers & Sisters, Project Runway, The L Word, Kathy Griffin, Ugly Betty, Uh Huh Her, 3-Way, Brad Pitt and the rest all fared.

Woo-hoo! Thanks 2008!

Not Bad, Just Drawn That Way: Top 10 Film Femme Fatales

Eva Mendes, Jaime King and Scarlett Johansson vamp it up in The Spirit

-- Snicks from AfterElton.com

The highly stylized film adaption of the comic book The Spirit is coming out soon (Christmas Day, to be exact), and in addition to the hotness of Gabriel Macht as the title hero, we also get three sexy, badass dames to enjoy.

Scarlett Johansson plays Silken Floss (love that name!), accomplice to The Octopus (Samuel L. Jackson); Eva Mendes is Sand Saref, whose cold heart may be melted by former flame The Spirit; and Jaime King is Lorelei Rox, who lures men to their deaths with her siren song.

Why do tough, dangerous broads prove so irresistible to so many gay men? While we ponder that question, let's take a look at some of our other favorite film femme fatales!

(Pssst! Logo's got a sweepstakes running for The Spirit where you can win over 200 killer movies on DVD. Have a look if you're feeling lucky!)

Our top ten, after the break...

Dara & Karman's Hit List: Attack of the Lesbian Stereotypes!

-- Karman Kregloe from AfterEllen.com

Sick and tired of all those nagging, pervasive lesbian stereotypes? Secretly wondering if any of them are true? Us too.

This week, Dara and I talk about the top 10 stereotypes about lesbians and deliberate on their validity. From handiness to angriness, we traverse the landscape of lesbian mythologies. Along the way, we take a break for a brief musical interlude.

Naturally, no list of lesbian stereotypes would be complete without mention of sports, The L Word, and U-Hauls. And, perhaps stereotypically, we process those things too.

What stereotypes annoy or amuse you most? Let us know!

Lesbian video from AfterEllen.com

Dara & Karman's Hit List is sponsored by Rock Band!

 

Watch previous episode of Dara & Karman's Hit List, and visit Dara and Karman on MySpace at MySpace.com/KarmanKregloe and MySpace.com/bad_machine.

Worst Songs of 2008: T. Cole Rachel's Rant! Watch out Pink, Rihanna, and Katy Perry!

Gay music and video from NewNowNext.com

Ha! Music scribe extraordinaire T. Cole Rachel (he contributes to V Magazine, Interview and The Fader) is big fan of all thing musical. Well, sort of. As he says in the clip above, he may be a bad gay but he simply has no patience for the pop junk from the likes of Pink, Rihanna ("sounds like a robot"), Britney and more... Ouch!

After the jump, Kim Stolz skewers another of 2008's big winners, Vampire Weekend. Humbuggery all around!!!

Daily Buzz Bits: Brit's Tour Togs, Ricky Martin's Babies, Brad's Bad 'Stache

Gay/Trans designers The Blonds are suiting up Britney for her big tour! - Hollyscoop

Oh, Daddy! Ricky Martin debuts his surrogate-born twins! He doesn’t have a nanny... Who wants to volunteer? - People

Er, not the best Rolling Stone cover shot for Brad. The ’stache is creepy! - DListed

I don’t watch Battlestar Galactica. But the way gays love it I assumed the whole cast was queer already. But now it’s official! They have a gay! - AfterElton

The whole T.R. Knight “I want off the show” thing with Grey’s Anatomy is not going to end well. - NY Mag

Somebody at MTV whipped up a list of the best songs of 2008. Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” is #2. Wha? Check out where Kanye, Estelle, Katy & MGMT fall in there, too. - MTV.com

I could watch Candis Cayne dance and fling her hair around forever. - Queerty

And finally, Morrissey has new music coming in 2009. And that’s not his surrogate baby. Is it? - Brooklyn Vegan

NewNowNext 2008 Year in Review: Kim Stolz's Top 5 Bands for 2009

So, 2008 is ending which means it's time to look back at all the best-of stuff from this past year. You know, best of movies, celebs, music, news stories, Britney moments -- the important stuff.

MTV News reporter (and Top Model alum) Kim Stolz was nice enough to chime in and offer her take on some of 2008's music finds. And she's picked the newest lil' bands that made a dent in 08, and who are poised to twist your panties full-on in '09. Have a look! How many of these artists do you love already?

Watch a clip from one of Logo's big faves (and Kim's too) after the jump! Here's a hint: "Are you really going to eat that pepperoni pizza? It's sooo greasy..."

Gone Fishin': But SamRo and Lindsay Can Manage Just Fine

It's August, and just about every sucker in NYC is out of town. Or headed that way... And that includes us here at NewNowNext. Colin's away all this coming week, Aug 18-25 (visiting family down south for a much needed vacation), which is why I'm here to tell you that the posts will be coming a bit more slowly for the next seven days. But you won't mind, right?

Check back for some music videos, some Project Runway recap vlogging, a chat with Margaret Cho, and other fun stuff next week. But on the whole, things will be quieter than usual. (Actually, we're heading off for a week away with SamRo and LiLo. We met last night at the Apple Lounge in WeHo -- see below -- and totally hit it off. Crazy, right?)

Anyway, here's a snap to get your weekend off to a smirky start. Mwah!!!

Sour and sweet, just like we like 'em!

Ultimate Country Videos? It's Wynonna Vs. Reba Vs. Loretta... And Then Some

Are you gonna challenge this woman for country music supremacy? Didn't think so.

Since Logo’s gone all country-fried and chain-smoking with its new delightfully down-home phenomenon Sordid Lives: The Series, they’ve gotten their weekly music video countdown show The Click List into the act, too. You folks voted online to sound off on which is the Ultimate Country Video, chosen from a roster that included some greats (Dolly! Loretta! Willie! Reba!) and, er, some other folks, too (Billy Ray? Jewel? Kellie Pickler?). Tonight at midnight on Logo, the winner is revealed!!!

Who’s the hottest mama on the big gay country music ranch? The results become final later tonight (keep voting), but I can tell you that riding a revved-up sweaty hog toward first place is that raven-haired, big-boned “bachelorette” of country, Wynonna!!! Her clip for “No One Else on Earth” is a strong contender. Hmmmm... Think she’s getting some serious votes from her female-loving female following? Erm... Have you seen the video? (If not, watch it below).

Gay music and video from NewNowNext.com

Holy crap! WyNo’s hair in the video is fiercely Pentecostal, she rides in on a big motorcycle in full-on butch leather and then plays pool in a bar! What point is she trying to get across? Is she at Chances in Houston? The mind reels. (Though when it comes to classic Judd realness, I secretly wish "Mama He's Crazy" had been in there…)

Loretta, Reba and Carrie U. after the jump!

Gretchen Mol Will Experience Life on Mars, Plus Top 5 Models-Turned-Actresses

-- Gina Vivinetto from AfterEllen.com

 

The gorgeous Gretchen Mol has joined the cast of ABC’s Life On Mars, playing the lead female role of feminist cop Annie Norris.  Mol, who wowed critics with her performance in The Notorious Life of Bettie Page, first made waves as a fashion model in the mid-1990s, but it was her goal to be an actress. In fact, Mol moved to New York after high school to study acting. (It’s hardly her fault a modeling scout took notice along the way, right?)

Mol is not alone — some of Hollywood’s most popular actresses were first noticed for their beauty, landing in the pages of fashion magazines before they made it to the silver screen. When you consider that Hollywood legends like Lauren Bacall and Marilyn Monroe modeled before they acted, you realize the model-turned-actress is practically a Tinsel Town tradition.

 

Celebrities That Are Not Lesbians 2.0

-- Grace Chu from AfterEllen.com

 

Welcome to another installment of Stars That Are Not Lesbians. Last month, we covered celebrities who retracted former declarations of queerness. This month, we are excited to announce that the word “lesbian,” when used in the same sentence as the name of a female celebrity (regardless of the context), automatically makes the celebrity newsworthy, because the word “lesbian” is magic!

If you are a female celebrity, a time-tested and foolproof way to get an article written about you is to either declare that you may want to become a temporary lesbian (e.g. Lily Allen, Katy Perry) or instead, declare that you are not a lesbian. In any event, as long as you mention the word “lesbian” or convince another person to say the word “lesbian” in the same sentence as your name, someone will write a story about you. You don’t need to be nominated for an Oscar, an Emmy, a Grammy or a Razzie. You don’t even need to be working. That’s too inefficient. Just use the L-bomb, and let the presses roll!

 

Exhibit A: Pamela dashes mum's “bizarre” lesbian hopes.

 

Supervillainesses We'd Like to See On Screen

Talia al Ghul, Aishwarya Rai

 

-- StuntDouble from AfterEllen.com

 

If you're going to make a comic book film that will echo in the minds and hearts of moviegoers, you've got to have a villain that's as super as the hero. Heath Ledger will get an Oscar nomination for his role as The Joker in The Dark Knight, and he should — not because of Ledger's untimely death, but because his portrayal of the clown prince of darkness is what nightmares are made of. It doesn't take terror to make a good villain, though; some of the best comic book bad guys have been more clever than they are evil. Thing is: most of them have been men. So, here's my casting advice for the next set of superhero movie villains. And by "villain" you know I mean "villainess."

 

The Best And Worst of Television This Year

-- StuntDouble from AfterEllen.com

 

Ah, summer: time for swimming, frolicking, eating ice cream, sitting in a dark room and crying because all the good television shows are on hiatus until fall.

Kidding, of course! Summer is a time of great optimism for television addicts. You can catch up on any shows you missed, because last fall's shows will be hitting DVD any day now. You can watch the Television Critics Association's summer press tour, hoping to catch a glimpse of any fall shows that will feature strong, confident, beautiful women in leading rolls. (And maybe if we're lucky, even some lesbian subtext!) You can even take a look at the Television Critics Association's Summer poll and set your TiVo (or order your Netflix queue) accordingly.

 

According to the Television Critics Association's summer poll, here are the best and worst of shows of 2008:

 

Denise Richards and Other Stars That Are Not Lesbians

-- Grace Chu from AfterEllen.com

 

June might be Pride Month – a time where gays and lesbians everywhere pop out of doorways, alleyways, radiators and even closets to celebrate their gayness – but some celebrities, however, have instead decided to celebrate the declaration (or reaffirmation) of their heterosexuality. Retracting previous declarations of queerness isn't new (see, for example Keeley Hawes), and some of the following celebrities are happy to carry on that fine tradition.

 

1. Jenna Jameson is "totally hetero."

 

The Hot 100 Lists From AfterEllen & AfterElton Are Up!

 

NewNowNext's sistahs a.k.a. The AfterEs - actually, they don't call themselves that - have officially posted their second annual Hot Women as chosen by lesbians and bi women and Hot Men as chosen by gay men and ... maybe some bis in there? And the lists are major deals: we're talking hundreds of thousands of votes from gays from all over the planet!

I'm revealing the No.1s after the jump - of course, you can check the official AfterEllen.com Hot 100 and AfterElton.com Hot 100 for yourself - but let's talk the AfterElton first, second and third runners-up: Xanadu's thigh-master Cheyenne Jackson, recently out actor and Matthew Rhys' main man in Brothers & Sisters, Luke MacFarlane, and Torchwood's John Barrowman, who was apparently really close for first.

I'm surprised John didn't win, actually; those AfterElton readers are kind of obsessed with Torchwood. They never even mentioned the time John poo-ed onstage. I don't know why!

 

 

And for the women: Jennifer Beals - who did really well last year, as well - came in second for her role as Bette Porter on The L Word, and then the other two were both AfterEllen vlog stars: Yup, Jill Bennett and Bridget McManus are online sensations. Let's face it, those two had done a few gay projects here and there, but the AfterEllen vlogs made them gay favorites ... and they are pretty darn hot.

 

And the winners are after the jump...

 

Reality Hosts With The Most

Padma Lakshmi

 

-- Reese DoWitt from AfterEllen.com

Recently the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced that it has approved a new Emmy Award category for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program.  The competitive shoe will be on the other foot when the hosts battle it out with each other at the 2008 Emmy Awards. The category is open to hosts only so "reactive participants or judges" are not eligible to receive the award (sorry, Paula Abdul.)

Hosting is no easy task: each week these women help us wade through the competitive waters of posing, food plating, dating and hem lines. Let’s hope that some of these ladies have a chance at Emmy gold when they go up against some of the already assumed male nominees (I’m talking to you, Seacrest.)

 

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.

 

SHE MADE ME WATCH THIS! Vlog: Women in Action Movies

-- Sarah Warn from AfterEllen.com

Gearing up for the summer action movies, Lori and I list our favorite female action heroes of all time, from Bridget Fonda in Point of No Return (1993) to  Halle Berry in Die Another Day (2002) to Michelle Yeoh in three movies, including the upcoming Mummy one.

Along the way, we lament the lack of non-martial arts roles for Asian American actresses, debate whether Harry Potter's Hermione can properly be considered an "action hero," and argue over the value of women in Bond movies.

 

Come on, Get Happy: Songs From The '80s

-- Ace from AfterEllen.com

OK, "Come on, Get Happy" — otherwise known as the Partridge Family Theme Song — is from the '70s, not the '80s. But if you were listening to music in the 80s, you have to admit that a lot of it was up-tempo, pretty happy stuff. With that in mind, several months ago, the Stuck in the '80s blog asked readers to submit the happiest songs of the '80s. The readers submitted their suggestions and the site winnowed them down to the 80 happiest songs of the 1980s.

I was an adolescent in the '80s, so I'm reasonably familiar with the music of the decade. Consequently, some of the songs that made the list perplex me. For example, I certainly like No. 32 "Jenny 867-5309" (Tommy Tutone) but I don't know that I'd call this song about obsession with a stranger happy. And I probably wouldn't include Cheap Trick's similarly themed "She's Tight" (No. 25). I might be OK with the inclusion of Irene Cara's "What a Feeling" (No. 21) if I didn't associate it with my grandfather's death. But I definitely cannot see the Violent Femmes' "Blister in the Sun" in the top 10. I mean, it's a great song, but not the 10th happiest song of the 1980s.

 

Best And Worst Album Titles

-- browne from AfterEllen.com

The U.K. website Digital Spy recently put together a list of what they consider to be the top 10 worst album titles of our times. Much as I like Alanis Morissette, I'm not really inclined to disagree with their choice of her Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie at No. 4.

But some of their other selections seem a bit baffling: Michael Jackson's HIStory: Past, Present and Future – Book I may have been a disappointment as a collection, but I don't really see much wrong with the title. And I doubt many people would have made the connection that Digital Spy makes between Beyoncé's B-Day and the French word bidet (for non-Europeans: the meaning of that word is too gross to explain here). Somehow I feel that the fact that they made that connection says more about Digital Spy than it does about Beyoncé.

Their list got me thinking, though, and I've come up with some of my own worst (as well as best) album titles. To start with the worst:

Christina Aguilera, Stripped (2002)

Straight Musicians Dedicate Their Songs to Us

-- Trish Bendix from AfterEllen.com

Surely you've noticed that straight people are just as fascinated with us as we are with them (probably more so). Some are so intrigued that they use us as fodder for song lyrics, which  can be either disastrous or hilarious, depending on the context. Others walk a fine line (i.e., Kanye West rapping, “Heard they'd do anything for a Klondike/Well I'd do anything for a blond dyke” in his single, “Stronger” — funny or offensive? The jury's still out.)

 

Here are some of my favorite tunes about us, but not by us:

Weezer - “Pink Triangle” — Choice lyrics from this '90s hit include:

 

We Are Women, Hear Us Roar, See Us Inspire

-- Dorothy Snarker from AfterEllen.com

God bless women! Can I get an amen? While it may seem redundant   to sing the praises of women on a site for gay/bi women, I say we can never lift our voices high enough when it comes to the truly inspirational women of this world. I’ve always looked to other women, real and fictional, as my role models. Whenever I’m feeling a little down, I use their wit and wisdom to lift me up. Whether on the big or small screen, something about the righteous (or riotous) indignation of a woman is just so satisfying. It practically sizzles.

So in honor of Scribegrrrl’s impending departure (sob, sniffle, bawl!), let’s burn bright with sisterfire today. The Linster and I have assembled some of the best speechifying by fabulous female characters to celebrate the fabulous female that is Scribe. 

Bette Porter (The L Word): No additional explanation required.

The Best Female Buddies on Film and TV

-- browne from AfterEllen.com

It seems like every couple of years or so, someone will release another one of those lists: You know, the ones that talk about the greatest on-screen partnerships and duos. There will be a top ten: Hepburn and Tracy will be mentioned, as will Bogart and Bacall. In the realm of (allegedly) non-romantic pairings, there will be Paul Newman and Robert Redford as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and maybe Laurel and Hardy, or the guys from Lethal Weapon. What there reliably never will be is any female-female buddy relationships.

Well, I think that’s nonsense — so without any further ado, here is a list of my favorite (allegedly) non-romantic female partnerships on film and television:

Dorothy (Jane Russell) and Lorelei (Marilyn Monroe), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

The '50s showgirls of this classic film travel together, trade banter, stick up for each other in the face of outsiders, and even walk up the aisle together at the end in matching wedding dresses. Sadly, they weren't actually marrying each other — even though the picture does make it look like it.

Angry Puppy Vlog: Justice League, Lost & 10 Worst-Cast Characters Ever

-- Brian Juergens from AfterElton.com

This week Marc and Lee begin by geeking out over the new Justice League animated movie (which boasts one of the best voice casts evah), which leads to a discussion of some of the worst-cast projects of all time. Needless to say, it's a fun chat.

The fellas also talk Lost, Torchwood and It's Alive!, and toss in another Mystery Geek Challenge, to boot. Check it out!

The Best Lesbian-ish Music Videos

-- browne from AfterEllen.com

Despite the fact that my father refers to them as “chewing-gum for the eyes,” I admit I love watching music videos. A good video can make me like a song I wasn’t that keen on when I heard it on the radio; a really bad one can put me off a song I thought I liked. But they have to be bad indeed in order to get me to switch off altogether.

Despite all that, I’m aware of a pervasive lack in the majority of music videos. Where — amidst all the heterosexual bumping and grinding and declarations of love — are the lesbians?

Worst Movie Titles Ever

-- scribegrrrl from AfterEllen.com

Brad Brevet of RopeOfSilicon.com recently compiled a list of the worst movie titles of all time. Of all time?  That's ambitious. It actually seems to be just of the last 10 years or so. Here are some of his choices (he didn't really specify any criteria) and some of my additions.

1. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)

Six '80s Videos That Made Me Weird and Gay

-- scribegrrrl from AfterEllen.com

A couple of months ago, I blogged about some '80s videos that made me gay. At the end of that post, I said that Les Rita Mitsuoko made me feel weird. I've come to realize that '80s videos are probably largely responsible for my weirdness. Here are some examples of musical abnormality that helped me shun conventionality and further embrace my lady-loving ways.

1. Laurie Anderson, "O Superman" (1982)

Lists I've Liked Lately: Movies, Toys, Geeks and More

-- scribegrrrl from AfterEllen.com

I keep coming across lists I can't really improve on, so I'm just going to list them. In a list. Of lists. (A few of these are via Pop Candy, which is always a good source for lists and, well, just about everything else.)

1. 10 Star Wars toys that unintentionally look like other celebrities

When I was a kid, I often complained that my Princess Leia action figure just wasn't made right — it kept toppling over. And it annoyed me that her gun was so flimsy and useless, especially compared to Chewbacca's giant over-the-arm weapon. But at least the '70s toy version of Leia didn't look like Christian Bale:

Girls Aloud: The Modern Spice Girls?

-- browne from AfterEllen.com

When Nadine Coyle, Kimberley Walsh, Cheryl Tweedy, Sarah Harding and Nicola Roberts won the girls’ section of the U.K. reality TV talent contest Popstars: The Rivals in 2002, and then formed a group called Girls Aloud, I don’t think anyone was really expecting much from them. 

"What Is Sexy?" — A Secret I Wish They'd Kept

-- scribegrrrl from AfterEllen.com

I don't frequent Victoria's Secret stores. I don't watch those lame Victoria's Secret TV specials. I don't peruse the Victoria's Secret catalog and never have, not even when one of my college friends insisted it was the perfect study break.

So, fine; I didn't really expect to like the  2008 What Is Sexy? list, which was released by Victoria's Secret earlier today. But nor did I expect to be thoroughly confused by it. You've probably seen headlines about the most ridiculous one: Ryan Seacrest made the list for "sexiest smile." Ryan Seacrest? I think they must have accidentally copied and pasted from their What Is Icky? list.

Five Gay Films That Deserve Sequels More Than Rambo Did

-- Lyle Masaki from AfterElton.com

This past weekend, a new Rambo movie hit theatres, the first in 20 years. Recently, we've also seen a new Rocky film arrive 16 years after the previous one, a Die Hard sequel that took 12 years to reach theatres and a fourth Indiana Jones film - 19 years after Indiana Jones and the Lost Crusade - is expected to draw huge audiences in May.

Seeing so many characters return after a long absence got me thinking about the various gay characters who'd I'd like to see again and gay films that deserve a sequel more than Rambo does:

Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Janet Jackson: Why Gays Love Some Pop Divas And Can't Get Up For Others

Gay-chasing pop stars - learn from the masters! Catchy songs, hot dances-moves and high-budget record deals help, yes, but the Kylies and Janets of the world have a gay devotion the Fergie Fergs, J.Los and Hannah Montanas could only dream of. ... OK, I own The Duchess, but it's not the same.

I'€™ve listed a few ladies-of-pop gays live and die for and pinpointed the moments in their careers they won us over. It'€™s not all the same; we ain't easy to please!

Find out the secrets of these divas after the jump!

Bad Beefcake: Submissions Wanted

-- Dennis Ayers from AfterElton.com

What do you get when a male celebrity intentionally and self-consciously tries to be sexy? You get bad beefcake. And hey, in my book there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Silly though it is, sometimes bad beefcake is actually sort of cute. Case in point: recently a whole series of photos of Gossip Girl’s Chace Crawford popped on the web. No question the boy is adorable - but he might want to rethink the fringe suede jacket, ten gallon hat and come-hither smile. (Okay, he can keep the come-hither smile.)  Now that’s bad beefcake, and I love it.

Five Ways for Celebrities to Improve Their Images in 2008!

Attention, celebrities and wannabes everywhere: I’ve got your New Year’s resolutions all planned out for you, so you can stop turning to your publicists for press-friendly suggestions. (I'm looking at you, Heidi Montag, with your I'm going to “treat people with kindness, even if they don’t deserve it.") That's right, all the keys to improved images and up-ed fame-levels in 2008 are right here...

A warning for my readers, though: Most of these resolutions, and "celebrities" for that matter, are gay-related, reality TV-related and/or Lindsay Lohan-related. But, you know, that is kind of my whole life, so what did you expect?

NUMBER 5: When You Appear on a Reality Show, Shoot for Second Place ...

The Best Film Costumes of All Time? Really?

-- Lyle Masaki from AfterElton.com

In Style magazine and British TV channel Sky Movies have conducted a poll asking, "What are the best film costumes of all time?" The winner is a striking green dress worn by Keira Knightley in 2007's Atonement (pictured above).

Now, it's a stunning gown, and one that effectively captures the eye. But looking at the rest of the list, I have to ask if it's a bit early to decide that that is the best film costume of all time. Let's take a loot at the rest of the selections:

Revenge Movies Are Sweet

-- Siege from AfterEllen.com

The holidays are supposed to be about love, joy and forgiveness.  The holidays are supposed to bring us together.  They remind us to give to those who are less fortunate.  We are supposed to set aside our family feuds, our petty disagreements, our bitterness at perceived wrongs.  (Heck, we should do that all year long.)

Revenge is not a part of the holiday season.  No matter: Every season is the right time to watch a good tale of revenge on the screen.  Revenge tales allow us to live vicariously through the fictional heroes who exact their righteous revenge in ways we never could.

So what are the best revenge movies of all time?  EW.com has compiled a list.  As you might expect, this list is primarily populated with testosterone-fueled action epics like The Godfather, Gladiator, Death Wish and Payback.  But the girls do get in on the action, sometimes in surprising ways.

Let's start with the most obvious films.  First, and most recent, we have Jodie Foster.  Yes, The Brave One made the list.  Such a shame for me to be forced into posting yet another shot of the lovely Ms. Foster.

Cover Me: Songs That Are Better the Second Time Around

-- Ace from AfterEllen.com

Last week, some boys at The Onion's A.V. Club compiled a list of “23 Songs That Should Never Be Covered Again.” I thought it would be a fun list, but I found it kind of boring because it was full of songs that have been covered well (“All Along the Watchtower,” “Respect,” “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”) and songs I've never heard covered (“99 Luftballons,” “Come On Eileen”). So I quickly found that I did not care. However, it did get me thinking, and I eventually came up with a list of my own: covers  I like even more than the originals.

5. “I Think We're Alone Now,” Tiffany (original — Tommy James and the Shondells)

Don't hate me because I like this song. I love the Tommy James version of the song, and I was never a Tiffany fan. But there's something about her cover (mall performances and all) that is very memorable and — dare I say? — good. My affinity may be influenced by my early college memories surrounding the song, but there's something about her perky, raspy voice that just works. 

Generation Gaps: Six Starlets and the Stars They Recall

-- scribegrrrl from AfterEllen.com

When I think of big movie stars, I always go right to the grand dames with long careers, like Meryl Streep, Helen Mirren, Susan Sarandon, Sigourney Weaver, Diane Keaton and Glenn Close, or to the supernovas who seemed to change the entire industry, like Barbra Streisand and Katharine Hepburn. I sometimes wonder: Do they make 'em like they used to? So I've been pondering the current crop of starlets, and am pleased to say that several babyfaces remind me of their more weathered forebears.  Here are six pairs of actresses who have a lot in common despite their generation gaps.

6. The rebels: Ellen Page and Debra Winger

Both Page and Winger have that  twinkle in their eyes that makes you wonder, each time they open their mouths to speak, whether you're about to be charmed or affronted. It's an edge that will keep me tuning in, even if somewhat trepidatiously. And Page, like Winger, seems inclined to do exactly (and only) what she wants to do.

Colin's Top 5 Songs of 2007!

Best for last, yo! Here are my Top 5 Songs of 2007...I'll admit, my taste in music isn't exactly "sophisticated," but these tracks are amazing - and if you don’t like them, I just don’t believe you.

Now for the countdown...

Number 5: Sugababes - "About You Now"

The subject of this song reminds me of Rihanna's “Unfaithful” - are we really supposed to feel badly you can't stop cheating on your boyfriend, Ri-Ri? And “About You Now,” particularly the line, “How could I know what you meant? / There was nothing to compare to,” comes off pretty bratty..."I thought I could do better than you, so I dumped your ass, but it turns out I can’t do better, so can we date again?"

OK, but that’s not important; who listens to these types of songs for the lyrics, anyway? "About You Now," which came courtesy of Cathy Dennis, of “Toxic”-by-Britney and “Can’t Get You Out of My Head”- by-Kylie fame, is just so freakin’ fun. It’s a bit bubble-gum – could use some edge – but I appreciate the Sugababes just embracing a girl-y good time, and I've been loving it all year.

(Check the video and the rest of my picks...after the jump!)

Eleven '80s Videos That Made Me Gay

-- scribegrrrl from AfterEllen.com

When it comes to videos, I'm old. I remember the premiere of Friday Night Videos, and even before that (and even before MTV), I watched something called FM-TV (later Teletunes) on a local public access channel. It was such a thrill to stay up late and enter that strange  new world. My sister even figured out how to hook up our clunky TV to the stereo so we could enjoy bizarre bands like Les Rita Mitsouko in high fidelity.

And just as the age of music video was dawning, so was my baby dykedom. Here are some '80s videos that helped me explore my newfound appreciation for the fairer sex. (Note to  the PMRC  types: I'm not really saying these videos made me gay; just that these women are totally worth going gay for, if that were possible.)

1. The Eurythmics, "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" (1983)

NewNowNext Noise: Gay Pop-Culture Video Blog. Our Top 5 Songs of 2007!

OK, this picture might give away one of John's picks for Top 5 Songs of the Year, but there's plenty more, don't worry! In this edition of NewNowNext Noise, John and I each count down our favorite songs from the entire year - and we've got some good ones.

And yes, we had a little too much fun with Movie Maker's ridiculous "special effects" this round, but we needed to get it out of our systems at some point, all right?

And if our choices got you all riled up, check for links to both John and my Top 5s, after the jump!

Pro-Gay and Just Gay Moments in America's Next Top Model History

Before we get to the listin', I'm calling out Cycle 9 of America's Next Top Model - that finale airs tonight, for the woefully ignorant - on a disturbing lack of gayness. Tyra, what are you doing? There is The Jays' continued presence, but that is not enough - not enough for you.

Cycle 9 not included, it is safe to say where there's Top Model, there's gay: from photo shoots, to cameos, to panels, to the girls themselves. And as off-her-rocker as Tyra is, I love our host for bringing gay culture to such a mainstream audience. Miss Jay is even a judge, and you know that was Tyra's idea. So, let's take a look back - I'm going all the way back to Season 1; I'm a Top Model expert, heeey - at some of the gayest moments of a very gay show, starting with...

The Funniest Gay Rumors of 2007

Marcia and Jan Brady's Steamy On-set Romance

When the National Enquirer reported Maureen McCormick's a.k.a Marcia Brady upcoming memoir recounted her lesbian affair with Eve Plumb (little sister Jan), let’s just say Maureen's publicist took her time denying the rumor. After all, the book was getting far too much press. Uhh...something suddenly came up!

The Enquirer printed, in regards to the book…

"The most explosive comments will be how the then-blonde, blue-eyed cutie developed a crush on Eve Plumb, which led to some sexual play. This book will certainly come as a shocker. While Maureen is not a lesbian, she reveals there were some sexual hijinks going on behind the scenes. It's bizarre because she played such a virginal character on the show."

That's not the only reason it's bizarre, sir - had it been true, of course. Too bad it wasn't, though; Jan yelling, "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia" would have taken on a whole new meaning!

Hotness rating? 1/4 The Bradys are unsexy enough on their own - no need for underage hookups. If Adult Marcia/Ben Stiller's wife and Adult Jan/I-have-no-idea were doin' it, we could talk.

Oh, we haven't forgotten about you, Lindsay!
There are plenty more where that came from...after the jump! Miss Latifah has been hogging the possibly-gay spotlight as of late, but the gay finger-pointing bountiful and succulent this year. Don't miss!

Top 10 Things to Love About Johnny Depp!

Yep, pardner... We sure do like that there Johnny Depp!

It’s not hard to come up with a list of reasons why Johnny Depp rocks. The iconoclastic actor is pretty much beloved by everybody, and it’s no surprise that gay folks are also fans of his good looks, his sharp talent and his always fun/refreshing “outsider” sensibility when it comes to taking on roles.

That’s only going to skyrocket as the new film version of the mega-classic Stephen Sondheim musical Sweeney Todd opens on December 21st. I got to see a press screening last week, and I’ve gotta say, “Depp can sing!” And the film doesn’t cut corners musically. All the big numbers are there and they’re recreated pretty faithfully. Plus, there’s blood and guts galore. Which always perks up a holiday movie musical!

Razor Sharp: Depp with his best pal in Sweeney Todd.

If you want to check out photos from the movie and get more Sweeney action, you can visit this big movie page that LogoOnline has crafted.

In the meantime, what follows is a Top 10 List of why Mr. Depp rules. See if you agree!

All the Pop-Culture, News and Gay-ness of '07: Check Out NewNowNext: 2007 Rewind!

Gay in '07, what?

Trying to take in all the wonders of gay pop-culture, celebrity meltdowns and juicy scandals from 2007 almost puts me into overload. What a year, right? Iggy-gate?  Sanjaya? Leave Britney alone? Come on!

And that's just the beginning. If you need a little closure (cause some stories were almost too much, let's face it), check out the NewNowNext: 2007 Rewind page! We break down all the pop-culture heavyweights from 2007...from celebrity feuds, to Pride parades, to Internet sensations to mug shots (Oh - the mug shots!). We could just rehash forever - but we worked to pick the best-of-the-best and the gayest-of-the-gay.

Remember me, U.S. Americans?

Let's break it down: The page has tons of polls (topics range from celebrities-gone-wild, TV, movies, actual news, among others), so you can weigh in and see what others are saying.

Also, there are plenty of gay-leaning photos (and some straight eye-candy) in the flipbooks section, as well as a handy news and pop-culture timeline to help you put it all in perspective. Did Britney shave her head in July...or did Lindsay re-re-enter rehab in February? Don't worry - we've got you.

Gimme More, 2007!

Female Villains: When Does Bad Become Magnificent?

-- Siege from AfterEllen.com

FHM has an interesting list of what they consider the 10 best female movie villains. They also have some disturbing, yet fun, video clips to go along with their choices. And it got me thinking: What exactly makes a villainess a grand dame in the baddie world?  So here's my take on the qualities that make a villain truly great.

1. The hotness factor

OK, I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I can get swept up by a villain just because she's hot. I'm not alone:  Malinda has her own list of baddies who are also hotties. Both Malinda and FHM include the likes of Catherine Tramell (Basic Instinct) and Catwoman as played by Michelle Pfieffer. O-Ren Ishii makes the FHM list and mine as well. I'd also like to suggest two more recent villains to add to the "hot" list: Sarah Corvus and Caprica Six (Battlestar Galactica).