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Carrie Prejean Threatens To Walk Off Larry King (Video)
1 hour ago
Carrie Prejean threatened to walk off Larry King Live Tuesday night, in the middle of her interview with Larry King. Prejean's threats came after King asked the former beauty queen about the reasons behind her recent settlement with the Miss California USA pageant. King asked Prejean why she agreed to strike a deal with the Pageant and drop her claims of libel, slander and religious discrimination. "Why settle since you had a fight to carry on?" King pressed. Prejean demurred. King asked again: "You can't even say why you settled?" Prejean, visibly displeased, refused to answer: "Larry, it's completely confidential and you're being inappropriate." The inappropriate issue at hand isn't King's probing question, but the alleged reason why Prejean settled: TMZ reported that she decided to strike a deal only after the lawyer for the... »
- The Huffington Post
Twilight's Bella Swan: Role Model or Not?
8 hours ago
My life has been very much about The Twilight Saga: New Moon recently -- I saw the movie last week, followed by an afternoon with the cast (well the majority of the players anyway - Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner and Robert Pattinson were all there). During one event -- a press conference with Kristen and about 25 reporters - I couldn't help but think the young star, who plays the series' heroine, Bella Swan, is a bit like her character - flustered, self-conscious, but witty and thoughtful. Kristen is petite and fidgets a bit -- on this day she wore three rings to fumble with. When it comes to her character, she stands behind her assertively: "She's awesome and she doesn't know it. She's confident but not arrogant. She has a lot of innately female qualities. She's fickle and unabashedly... »
- Meg Hemphill
Why Kanye West Could Never Be Fela Kuti
8 hours ago
While Kanye West's admitted disdain for books is well known, I reflected on his recent comments while at the Eugene O'Neill Theater watching Fela!, the Bill T Jones production based on the life of Nigerian singer and political activist Fela Kuti. Last year I was blown away by the off-Broadway performance, and while some of the themes were toned down -- "made for Broadway" -- this is still an experience I'd recommend to anyone, and demand of my friends. Along with Passing Strange, Fela! offers one hope that Broadway still presents politically, socially, and spiritually progressive theater void of the Disneyfied clichés trademark to the industry. I remember sitting at 37 Arts during the heat of the presidential election over a year ago, with Fela's double fisted cry for becoming the "black president" of Nigeria via his self-created Mop (Movement... »
- Derek Beres
Two Dreams That Changed Hollywood
8 hours ago
Big dreams still come when we are at the top of our game, but sometimes the most influential ones come to us on the way up. If you read closely the profiles of those at the top, chances are you will find the moment when everything changed for them -- and chances are that moment came in a dream. In The New Yorker last month, director James Cameron tells about being sick and broke, staying in a tiny flat at a time of struggle early in his career. One night, he said, he dreamed of "a chrome skeleton emerging out of a fire." Then he sketched the figure cut in half and crawling after a woman. He said, "I thought, That was cool. I've never seen that in a movie before." Unlike most of us, who might have a startling dream image and... »
- Anne Hill
ReThink Review: The Yes Men Fix the World -- Speaking Truth by Faking Power
9 hours ago
Armed only with cheap suits, fake websites, a few props and nuts the size of Survivaballs, the Yes Men have become infamous for infiltrating corporate events pretending to be spokesmen for government agencies or some of the world's most powerful companies. Once inside, they either announce that the group they're representing has had a change of heart and is now looking to correct its most egregious crimes, or they attempt to market products to their corporate audiences that are so odious and offensive that they highlight the cold-hearted greed of the companies that might sell them, as well as those who would buy them. And they make you laugh while they do it. After a successful premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, the Yes Men's new documentary, The Yes Men Fix the World, is slowly rolling out to select theaters... »
- Jonathan Kim
Stage Door: Superior Donuts, The Understudy, Vamps
9 hours ago
When August: Osage County, an astounding large-scale familial drama burst on Broadway, it trumpeted the arrival of Tracy Letts, who won the Pulitzer Prize. By contrast, his follow-up effort, Superior Donuts, is a quiet meditation on fathers and sons, hope and hopelessness. This round, Letts went smaller, more intimate. Though Donuts is expertly acted and genuinely touching, the plot is far more contrived. Now at the Music Box, Superior Donuts opens in a family-owned Chicago donut shop. The seedy neighborhood is quietly becoming gentrified, as evidenced by the nearby Starbucks. The shops owner, a tired hippie named Arthur (Michael McKean), is a study in resignation. A former draft dodger and son of Polish immigrants, his "old man" started the store, hoping his son would do better. Instead, Arthur fled the U.S. during the Vietnam War, and by the time he returns,... »
- Fern Siegel
The 16th Annual Giller Prize and the Future of Literature in a Digital Age
10 hours ago
The 2009 Scotiabank Giller Prize Last night the 16th annual Giller Prize celebrated excellence in Canadian literature, reminding us all of the incredible dedication, passion and talent with which authors in this great nation write. The Giller Prize was born in 1994 to bear the name of revered businessman and philanthropist Jack Rabinovitch's late wife, literary journalist Doris Giller and is the largest prize for literature in the country. Since it's inception over a decade and a half ago, the Giller has been one of the most influential forces in promoting Canadian literature both at home and abroad. (Jack Rabinovitch) (The 2009 Scotiabank Giller Prize at The Four Seasons Hotel Toronto) The excitement in the room was palpable, the accolades for the five finalists abundant and there was a tangible frisson in the air as shortlisted authors past and present, judges and guests mingled... »
- Marissa Bronfman
PG-13 at 25: Will the Movies Ever Grow Up (Again)?
10 hours ago
In 1984, Steven Spielberg released Gremlins and Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom, two PG-rated films sold to children, and the intensity of this box-office blockbusters (understandably) rattled parents. Rather than chastise Hollywood's foremost money-machine, however, the MPAA created a new ratings category specifically tailored to serve Spielberg: the PG-13. As a result, the majority of films released since 1984 have been rated PG-13. The PG-13 rating provides an opportunity for studios to "soften" and, in fact, "dumb down" films to the point where "soft" and "dumb" are presently Hollywood's key ingredients for success. So while movies have grown ever more mechanically violent, nudity and sexuality have been edged out of mainstream cinema, especially serious and, indeed, "adult" treatments of such subjects. It's easy to see how PG-13 has diminished the punch of genres that employ... »
- Mr. Skin
What America Can Learn from a Black Girl Named "Precious"
11 hours ago
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire is one of the best films I've seen in a long time, and one of the few in mainstream theaters that dares deal with the legacy that slavery created. Obviously, that connection isn't made in the film. But if you know your history, the thread is clear. Her life is the product of generations of oppression, bigotry, and neglect which explodes into a rage without an outlet. So it is internalized. It's a force that can turn a mother into a monster. Sadly, the monster is us. By us, I mean systems of government that continue to fail black and brown people: our schools, courts, so-called aid agencies. As we see in this film, generational welfare turns will into complacency, self-worth into deflated souls. And it's journalists, the people who write the first draft... »
- Cindy Rodriguez
Channeling Betty Draper: Will She Smile Before Next Season's Final Episode of Mad Men?
12 hours ago
If you've seen the show Mad Men then you're already familiar with Betty Draper's off putting yet alluring character. In the majority of her scenes she's located in a plaid-coordinated suburban kitchen staring blankly at her children while discontentedly huffing a cigarette. As her children eat (or dare speak) she sips from her bottomless wine glass through perpetually lipsticked stained lips. Only when one of her blue-eyed children draws Betty's attention with an innocent query, "When is Daddy coming home?" (Fyi Daddy is never home because daddy is always up to no good with some other coiffed babe) will Betty wake up. Then she responds with one of her classic era-driven parenting standards such as "Go watch T.V.!" Or if there is daylight she might innovate: "Go outside and play!" If you haven't seen Mad Men then just imagine an utterly spoiled,... »
- Susan Weissman
The Recession Helps Fans
14 hours ago
Even the most avid of sports fans probably won't look back on 2009 as the year of the Yankees, the Tar Heels or the Lakers. No, as we look back on the year, the lasting impression is most likely one of resounding financial instability (or worse). Clearly it was a devastating year for businesses, homeowners who want to sell and, most importantly, the unemployed. Even as the economy begins to stabilize and, in some sectors improve, times are still tough and there are many people hurting. But an interesting trend has emerged from the clouds of the recession, a silver lining for sports and music fans. It turns out that more fans are going to more events. And, perhaps more tellingly, they are doing so at lower prices. That's right: people are going out more, and they are... »
- Chris Tsakalakis
Broadway Looks at Racism in the Obama Era
14 hours ago
There's been much mention in the press during the last however many months that in some pockets of the country, resistance to Barack Obama and his evolving policies is due to lingering -- not to say rampant -- racist attitudes. What one of those pockets is definitely not, I can tell you, is Broadway. Along that fabled strip, racism is noticeably out of favor. Of the 35 productions running or opening shortly -- including the Jude Law-starring Hamlet revival and Patrick Marber's After Miss Julie, where racism really wouldn't be a factor -- at least 10 offerings have a rainbow-coalition hue. Make that 11, if you consider Shrek -- wherein an Ogre wins a Princess's hand -- as an anti-racist metaphor. No one can prove that the favorable Great-White-Way... »
- David Finkle
Dina Lohan Talks About Lindsay's Cutting
14 hours ago
In his ongoing quest for truth by exposing the shameful inner workings of his troubled family, Michael Lohan has leaked yet another phone recording to RadarOnline. In it we learn that at one point Dina was so blinded by concern about her daughter's cutting that she thought talking to her press-hungry, abusive ex-husband about it might help. First Michael and Dina argue over whether Lindsay wants to see Michael, then they play the blame game about her self-mutilation problem. You can listen to the recording here. "Her cutting herself and hurting herself? Yeah, it's bad Michael, it's bad," Dina says. Michael asks how she would feel if something happened to Lindsay and Dina responds, "I know that something will happen and I'll feel that it's all your fault, that's how I will feel, it's not about me." Michael too refuses to... »
- Katy Hall
Mickey Becomes a Rat And We All Like It: Why Are Our Heroes All Dark?
14 hours ago
As a kid I loved Mickey Mouse -- his high, shrill voice, and his madcap love of life. I wanted to be a mouseketeer and join all those nice, well-kept kids on the Disney TV show who seemed to embody the ideals of what America was all about. But what's happened to Mickey? I read today that Disney is about to launch a new Mickey video game in which our hero's sunny personality is going "dark side." Mickey, that loveable mouse, will become a rodent and wander through a cartoon wasteland meeting bitter and disappointed characters who resent his success. In making Mickey more sinister, Disney follows in a trend toward media characters who are no longer Mr. Nice Guys. Now television doctors like House, cutthroat lawyers like Glenn Close in Damages, grumpy comedians... »
- Lennard Davis
The Divine Ben Foster as The Messenger
15 hours ago
Conventional wisdom in Hollywood has it that Iraq War-themed movies are fated to fizzle at the box office. Now the superb, not-to-be-missed The Messenger may deservedly break the hex. In his directorial debut, Owen Moverman, who also co-wrote the screenplay, has delivered a powerful, nuanced film about the soldiers stateside who must deliver news of casualties to the next of kin (Nok in Army parlance). Inhabiting their roles to an uncanny degree, all the actors deliver searing performances. But The Messenger's big revelation is the astonishing Ben Foster as main character Will Montgomery, a disoriented war hero just back from unseen horrors, who must struggle, as he puts it, "to find a reason for living." With just three months of service remaining, Will is tapped by his superiors to team up with gruff... »
- Erica Abeel
Lindsay Lohan's Ungaro Collection Was "A Disaster" Says Ungaro Himself
15 hours ago
Lindsay Lohan's stint as an "artistic adviser" to fashion house Ungaro has been slammed by Emanuel Ungaro himself. Ungaro, who sold his business and is no longer involved in the label that carries his name, called Lindsay's collection "a disaster" on Monday night. See runway photos of the heart-shaped nipple pasties and sequin-adorned collection here, for which Lohan took a runway lap at the end of the show. Ungaro also said, "I'm furious but there isn't a thing I can do. I have absolutely no link with that house," adding the label is well on its way to "losing its soul." Get HuffPost Entertainment On Facebook and Twitter!... »
- Katherine Thomson
Andre Agassi ... Keep Your Head Up, Dude
16 hours ago
Andre Agassi is taking a lot of heat related to recent interviews and admissions made in his upcoming autobiography. The revelation of his crystal meth use and subsequent misrepresentations (lies) to tennis’ governing body when questioned after a failed drug screen seem to be the source of most of the negative criticism. I have not and most likely will not read his book (not my type of subject matter). And I am one of those people that look unfavorably on celebs that spontaneously begin to air dirty laundry during a book promotion tour. I don’t know if their father did all of those horrible alleged things to them many, many years ago or not. I just view the timing of the revelations to be self-serving and usually financially motivated. Are they truly hoping that their story will help someone or are... »
- Dr. Johnny Benjamin
Movie Review: Fantastic Mr. Fox
16 hours ago
Perhaps Fantastic Mr. Fox will be the film that convinces adults that animation isn't just for kids. Indeed, given the sensibility of writer-director Wes Anderson, Mr. Fox is barely a movie for kids, despite its Roald Dahl pedigree. Anderson's delicious take on life and movies may amuse youngsters -- but not as much as it will tickle adults, with its delightfully anthropomorphized forest creatures who can't quite escape their animal nature. That idea -- that animal nature is a given that even the most thoughtful creature can't avoid -- is at the heart of this oddly funny and endearing film, made in stop-motion animation. Anderson and co-writer Noah Baumbach have adapted Dahl's fantasy tale in their own voices, in a way that preserves the basics but makes it uniquely their own. Mr. Fox (voiced by George Clooney) is a family man with... »
- Marshall Fine
Seeing The Tiger Next Door
17 hours ago
Afghanistan is a nasty, dangerous place. When a journalist covering that war, I'm hounded by the thought, "I could be torn to shreds any second." Several weeks ago at the Woodstock Film Festival watching The Tiger Next Door, it occurred to me, "I could be torn to shreds any second in America." At the center of this excellent documentary is Dennis Hill. Stringy long white hair and beard, open and engaging personality, determined and dedicated to pursue his peculiar occupation. Peculiar what? Dennis has living in his backyard 24 tigers, 3 bears, 6 leopards, one cougar and other assorted wild beasts. A breeder of large felines (until recently licensed by the Usda), he is especially obsessed to breed a stripeless white tiger, which, not incidentally, could fetch the perpetually impoverished Dennis as much as $150,000. ... »
- Stewart Nusbaumer
Celine Dion Miscarriage? She's 'No Longer Pregnant'
18 hours ago
**Update** Celine will keep trying to get pregnant, husband Rene Angelil told the Canadian paper Journal de Montreal (via People). Their fertility doctor believed that the IVF procedure in August had been successful, but they found out a few days later it was not. Another attempt in October also failed to take. But they're trying again this weekend, Rene said: "I admire all the women who go through such a tough process. Since April, she has undergone numerous examinations, multiple hormone injections and blood tests," Angelil told the paper, revealing the couple will go to New York this weekend for a third try. "Celine and I didn't get discouraged ... we put our faith in life and in the stars." __ Sad news for Celine Dion, who in August was reported to be pregnant with an embryo that had been frozen in liquid... »
- Katy Hall
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