Cinematic Crush: Gregory Harrison

Today, Movie Dearest concludes a month long look at the hottest "Retro TV Hunks", the actors who brought prime beefcake to primetime during the 70's and 80's.

Crush object: Gregory Harrison, actor.

- For gay men of a certain age, the above image is as iconic as Michelangelo's David. It is, of course, Gregory Harrison as a would-be actor from Iowa who makes it big in the Big Apple as a stripper in the legendary TV movie For Ladies Only; sadly, it is not yet available on DVD, but you can get a taste of it right here.

- This wasn't the first time he caught our eye though, as he had already steamed up our television screens as the hunky Dr. Gonzo Gates in Trapper John, M.D.; before that, he was the title character in the short-lived TV version of Logan's Run. He would later join Falcon Crest for its final season.

- Other television appearances include the small screen classic Trilogy of Terror, as well as guest spots on Sisters, Judging Amy, Touched by an Angel and Joey; he also starred in TV remakes of Picnic and Red River.

- Film roles include a surf cat in North Shore and Eric Roberts' lover in It's My Party.

- On Broadway, he has starred in the musicals Steel Pier, Follies and Chicago; I had the pleasure to see his smooth talkin', razzle dazzlin' Billy Flynn in the national tour of the latter a few years back, and he is still just as swoon-worthy.

Monthly Wallpaper - April 2008: Classic Comedy

Movie Dearest celebrates our favorite cinematic April fools next month with a salute to Classic Comedy.

From silent era geniuses like Chaplin, Lloyd and Keaton to vaudeville transplants like Abbott & Costello and the brothers Marx to the iconic pairings of Grant & Russell and West & Fields to daffy duos such as Laurel & Hardy, Hope & Crosby and Martin & Lewis to the sophisticated stylings of Powell & Loy (and Asta) and Harlow to the comedic masteries of Wilder and Lubitsch, you're in for a lot of laughs with this month's calendar wallpaper.

All you have to do is click on the picture above to enlarge it, then simply right click your mouse and select "Set as Background". (You can also save it to your computer and set it up from there if you prefer.) The size is 1024 x 768, but you can modify it if needed in your own photo-editing program.

Secrets and Lies

A sure-fire sign of a great book-to-film adaptation is that, after you watch the movie, you want to read (or re-read) the original book. Such is the case with Atonement.

This tragic story of how brief moments in our lives can change them irrevocably, forever, is richly layered in every aspect, from Christopher Hampton's faithful adaptation of the Ian McEwan novel to Seamus McGarvey's compelling cinematography (including a breathtaking five minute tracking shot on the shores of Dunkirk during the English evacuation) to that famous green dress (designed by Jacqueline Durran) to Dario Marianelli's distinctive, Academy Award-winning score. That all of them, as well as the film itself, were nominated for Oscars and director Joe Wright was not makes one wonder where the Academy's priorities were this awards season past.

The character of Briony -- the crux of the film's action -- is brought to life by one-two-three punch of Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan, Romola Garai and Vanessa Redgrave. However, at the core of the film is the haunting, heart-breaking performances of James McAvoy and Keira Knightley; their passion leaps off the screen in Titanic-level proportions, their final denouement will leave you breathless.

Click here to buy Atonementon DVD from Amazon.com.

Film Art: Russ Meyer Edition

Sandra Equihua's "Rosie", inspired by Russ Meyer's Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!

Potent Quotables: Robotic Eye for the Straight Gal

This exchange between Robby the Robot and Altaira Morbius (Anne Francis) is quoted verbatim from the sci fi classic Forbidden Planet:

Altaira: Where have you been? I've beamed and beamed.
Robby: Sorry, miss. I was giving myself an oil job.
Altaira: Robby, I must have a new dress, right away.
Robby: Again?
Altaira: Oh, but this one must be different! Absolutely nothing must show ... below, above or through.
Robby: Radiation-proof?
Altaira: No, just eye-proof will do.
Robby: Thick and heavy?
Altaira: Oh no, Robby. It must be the loveliest, softest thing you've ever made for me and fit in all the right places, with lots and lots of star sapphires.
Robby: Star sapphires take a week to crystallize properly. Would diamonds or emeralds do?
Altaira: Well, if they're large enough.
Robby: Five, ten and fifteen carats, and on hand. I will run the dress up for you in time for breakfast. Sleep well, miss.
Altaira: (hugging him) Thank you, Robby!

Wow ... he can whip up haute couture overnight and give himself an oil job. That Robby was quite a guy.

Click here to buy Forbidden Planeton DVD from Amazon.com.

Valley of the Dolls, Part 3

OK, so it has been almost seven (!) months since the last installment of Valley of the Dolls, but hey, it has taken Steven Spielberg almost twenty years for the next Indiana Jones flick. Of course, that is only a movie. Meanwhile, back to Tom Tierney's Glamorous Movie Stars paper doll books:

• Glamorous Movie Stars of the Eighties Paper Dolls- Per the cover, this volume includes a cat (Michelle Pfeiffer in Batman Returns -- never mind that it came in 1992), a fish (Daryl Hannah in Splash) and Cher. Also included are such glamour pusses as Frances Farmer (Jessica Lange in Frances) and Janis Joplin -- oops, Mary Rose Foster (Bette Midler in The Rose -- never mind that it came out in 1979).
• Glamorous Movie Stars of the Nineties Paper Dolls- According to this cover, the 90's were all about the whores -- Julia Roberts in her tacky tramp ensemble from Pretty Woman and Nicole Kidman as the sultry Satine from Moulin Rouge! (never mind that it came out in 2001). Others include Gwyneth Paltrow (Emma and Shakespeare in Love) and Jodie Foster (Anna and the King) sporting period duds, but did we really need to be reminded of Julia's Tinker Bell from Hook?

Click the above links to purchase the books from Amazon.com.

Cry-Baby Bomb?

Bad news for those hoping for another Hairspray-style hit with the new stage musical version of John Waters' Cry-Baby: my Broadway sources say that not only are tickets not selling well (even at just $54 each during previews), but people are actually walking out.

Supposedly, the whole show is frantically being re-written, with songs being added and cut ... not good, considering it is supposed to open April 24.

Poster Post: The Truth is Out There

The first poster image for the still untitled X-Files sequel, in theaters July 25.

Out in Film: Malcolm Gets

Idol worship: Malcolm Gets, actor.

- He is best known as Caroline's neurotic assistant Richard on the sitcom Caroline in the City; other television appearances include Law & Order, As the World Turns and Remember WENN.

- He was nominated for a Tony Award for the musical Amore; additional stage work includes Amadeus, Little Shop of Horrors, As Is, Merrily We Roll Along, Edward II, Finian’s Rainbow and The Apple Tree.

- On film, he played F. Scott Fitzgerald in Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle and co-starred in Thirteen Conversations About One Thing and Adam & Steve.

- He will next be seen on the big screen in the eagerly awaited new incarnations of Sex and the City (as Carrie and Big's real estate agent) and Grey Gardens (as Big Edie's accompanist, George "Gould" Strong).

- For more on Malcolm, see the Man in Chair blog for a recent interview.

The Latest in Theaters ... A Gay Late

Kudos to Greg Hernandez at the Out in Hollywood blog for the heads up on two gay themed films opening today in limited release:

• A Four Letter Word: Jesse Archer and Charlie David star as men of Manhattan in this romantic comedy from Casper Andreas. Watch the (slightly NSFW for language) trailer here.
• Shelter: Brad Rowe and Trevor Wright are surfers in love in this eagerly awaited romantic drama directed by Jonah Markowitz.

If you're not in one of the cities showing Shelter, fear not: it will be coming to DVD May 27. Click here to pre-orderit from Amazon.com.

A Christmas Carol

Already a popular regional play, a new stage version of the classic holiday favorite A Christmas Story is currently being prepared -- as a musical.

Let's see ... how many rhymes can they come up with for "you'll shoot your eye out"?

Barber Shop Quartet

Now that the Golden Globe-winning Best Picture Sweeney Todd is coming to DVD next Tuesday, you can stock up on all your demon barber needs at EntertainmentEarth.com, such as an authentic Sweeney Todd Razor with Pouch Prop Replica. On the other hand, if you actually want to use the blade (to shave or seek revenge on your enemies), you can go for the Sweeney Todd Shaving Kit, complete with blood-spattered mug. If you need a little libation before you commence with the throat slitting, there is the Sweeney Todd Flask, or if you just want to gaze at Johnny Depp, the Sweeney Todd Window Hanging Sign should suffice.

As for the DVD, a feature-packed two-disc collector's edition will be released in addition to a single disc version. Bonuses on the double-discer include features on the real Sweeney, a look at the film's theatrical roots and a salute to composer Stephen Sondheim. Click here to pre-order either Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetDVD from Amazon.com.

It's a Gas: Flatulence on Film

Ah, the much maligned "fart gag". Over-used, yes, but when employed with, shall we say, "style", it can be quite humorous ... hilarious even.

Float on over to ReadJunk.com to relive the "Top 20 Funniest Fart Scenes in Movies", including the infamous campfire scene from Blazing Saddles (at number 1, naturally), plus the should-be-a-lot-higher-then-number 16 "Dinner at the Klumps" sequence from The Nutty Professor.

And be sure to check out their "honorable mention", the funniest 58 seconds of The Matrix you've never seen ... or heard.

MD Poll: It Takes Two

In preparation for "Classic Comedy" month next month here at Movie Dearest, the latest MD Poll asks you to vote for your favorite classic comedy couple.

Whether it is the madcap adventures of two goofy fellas (Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis) or the screwball antics of a guy and a gal (Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Doris Day and Rock Hudson, Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant or Spencer Tracy, William Powell and Myrna Loy), these twosomes always delivered the laughs in picture after picture.

Pick your favorites in the poll located in the sidebar. Results will be revealed right here in two weeks.

UPDATE: This poll is now closed, click here for the results, and click here to vote in the latest MD Poll.

MD Poll: Something Wilde

Movie Dearest readers went Wilde over the latest MD Poll, voting the Stephen Fry starring film their favorite gay biopic.

For a while there, it was a "Wilde vs. Whale" smack down, with Gods and Monsters eventually coming in a close second. Rounding out the top five was Monster, Boys Don't Cry and Capote, all featuring Oscar winning lead performances.

See the comments section below for the complete stats, and click here to vote in the latest MD Poll.

The Latest in Theaters: G.I. Joes

Kimberly Peirce's first film since Boys Don't Cry (really) leads off this week's latest in theaters:

• Stop-Loss: Ryan Phillippe and Channing Tatum star in Peirce's contemporary war drama about a soldier, freshly returned from Iraq, forced to return to combat by the fickle U.S. Army. Abbie Cornish, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Timothy Olyphant also star.
• Run, Fatboy, Run: David Schwimmer (yes, that David Schwimmer) makes his feature film directorial debut with this comedy, starring Simon Pegg as another lovable loser who trains for a marathon in order to win back ex-fiancée Thandie Newton from ... Hank Azaria?
• 21: Kevin Spacey teaches six MIT students (including dreamy Jim Sturgess) how to count cards and win big in Vegas in this based-on-a-true story drama; co-stars Kate Bosworth and Laurence Fishburne.
• Flawless: No, not the one with Philip Seymour Hoffman in drag; Demi Moore and Michael Caine star in this heist thriller set in swinging 60's London. Let's hope Demi doesn't try for an English accent.
• And finally - Superhero Movie: The latest big screen spoof from the folks who keep giving us Scary Movies even though we don't ask for them; this one takes on the likes of Spider-Man, et al. And if that isn't enough to keep you away: beware of angry Fanboy fanboys.

Visit Fandango - Search movie showtimes and buy tickets.

Baby This Time

The trials and tribulations of makin' babies are the focus of Lisa Gornick's Tick Tock Lullaby, coming to DVD April 8. Two yearning couples -- one straight, one lesbian -- and a desperate single gal are all trying to get pregnant, and will go to any lengths to do so in this British comedy drama (watch the trailer here).

Click here to pre-order Tick Tock Lullabyon DVD from Amazon.com.

Movie Music: Re-Animated

Twenty years ago, Stay Awake,the most unique collection of Disney cover songs ever, was first released.

Eschewing the normal "Singers & Standards" format usually employed for the perennial toon tunes, the album took an experimental, alternative approach that yielded results ranging from the awesome (The Replacements' rockin' "Cruella de Vil") to the awful (Tom Waits' "depths of hell" version of "Heigh Ho"). Regardless, Stay Awake was immensely listenable and has become a cult favorite among more non-traditionalist Disneyphiles.

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the original album's producer Hal Willner is staging a live concert event reuniting several of the original artists and a few newcomers, including Natalie Merchant, Suzanne Vega and David Byrne. Stay Awake Live will be presented April 2 at St. Ann's Warehouse in Brooklyn, New York.

UPDATE: The New York Sun offers highlights of the recent concert.

Hugh and Ewan Get Dirty

The latest "hot" trailer: Ewan McGregor, Hugh Jackman and Michelle Williams are into kinky sexcapades in the new sexy thriller Deception, in theaters April 25.

Women We Love: Julie Andrews

Object of our affection: Julie Andrews, actress.

- She began her illustrious career on the stage in the original productions of The Boy Friend, My Fair Lady and Camelot; she made a triumphant return to Broadway years later with her Tony Award nominated turn in the stage version of Victor/Victoria.

- Her supercalifragilistic film debut was as the practically perfect title character in the Disney masterpiece Mary Poppins, the role she famously took on when Jack Warner passed her over for the screen version of My Fair Lady; she won the Academy Award, Golden Globe and BAFTA Film Awards for her troubles.

- Poppins made her an instant movie star, and she capitalized on her newfound fame with a string of hits through the 1960's, including the eternal classic The Sound of Music (Oscar nomination), plus The Americanization of Emily, Torn Curtain, Hawaii, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Star!; she strived to change her "wholesome" image with such racier fare as 10, S.O.B. and Victor/Victoria (Oscar nomination), all directed by her husband Blake Edwards; most recently, she has co-starred in the popular Princess Diaries and Shrek movies and narrated Enchanted.

- On television, she starred in the first television production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella and several Emmy Award-winning variety specials, including three with Carol Burnett; she has also starred in such dramatic TV movies as the gay-themed Our Sons, a live version of On Golden Pond and two Eloise movies.

- Her first volume of her autobiography, Home: A Memoir of My Early Years(available April 1), covers her pre-Poppins years.

Richard Widmark: 1914-2008

Richard Widmark, who received an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe for his film debut as the sadistic killer Tommy Udo in the film noir classic Kiss of Death, passed away Monday at the age of 93.

The prolific actor was equally adept at playing both villains (No Way Out, Don't Bother to Knock, Pickup on South Street) and heroes (Panic in the Streets, Night and the City, The Alamo). Other notable films he appeared in include How the West Was Won, Judgment at Nuremberg, Murder on the Orient Express, Against All Odds and Madigan, a role he reprised on television.

Children's Hour

David Eick, creator of the recent TV remakes of Battlestar Galactica and The Bionic Woman, is adapting Children of Men into a proposed series for the Sci Fi Channel.

Poster Post: Leather Men

George Clooney and John Krasinski take it to the field in the period romantic sports comedy Leatherheads, in theaters April 4.

Click here to buy the Leatherheadsposter from Amazon.com.

An Affair to Remember

A Catered Affair, the new Broadway musical starring multiple Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein -- who also wrote the book based on the classic Bette Davis movie The Catered Affair -- began previews tonight at the Walter Kerr Theatre in preparation for an April 17 opening.

The new tuner, which also stars Tony winning Doll Faith Prince, former Duke of Hazard Tom Wopat and ex-Urban Cowboy Matt Cavenaugh, is directed by Tony winning Company man John Doyle.

UPDATE: Michael Portantiere interviews Harvey Fierstein at AfterElton.com, wherein he recounts how he changed the Barry Fitzgerald uncle character from a drunk in the movie to gay onstage.

Wolf at Your Door

This year's Oscar-winning animated short Peter & the Wolf will be presented tomorrow night as part of PBS' Great Performances. In addition to the complete toon, which retells the familiar story of Sergei Prokofiev's classical piece through stop motion animation, the program will present a behind the scenes featurette on the making of it.

In related news, Peter & the Wolf and all of the other Oscar nominated animated and live action short subjects (including live action winner The Mozart of Pickpockets) will be released on DVD May 6. Click here to pre-order Collection of 2007 Academy Award: Nominated Short Filmsfrom Amazon.com.

The Latest on DVD: Gang Bangs

If you're into classic gangster movies, this week offers a bountiful haul of them on DVD:

• Bonnie and Clyde- The Academy Award-winning true crime story that redefined cinematic violence is now available in three new versions: a two-disc special edition, a two-disc "ultimate" edition and a high def Blu-ray. Extras include the new documentary "Revolution! The Making of Bonnie and Clyde", featuring interviews with all the major playas.
• Warner Gangsters Collection, Volume 3- Six old school gangsta flicks are collected herein, including the James Cagney vehicles Lady Killer, The Mayor of Hell and Picture Snatcher, Humphrey Bogart in Black Legion and Brother Orchid, where he is joined by Edward G. Robinson, and Smart Money, the one-and-only screen pairing of Cagney and Robinson.

Click on the above links for more information and to buy from Amazon.com. Check out the rest of this week's new DVD releases in the handy-dandy Amazon widgets located in the sidebar.

Cinematic Crush: Robert Conrad

Movie Dearest continues a month long look at the hottest "Retro TV Hunks", the actors who brought prime beefcake to primetime during the 70's and 80's.

Crush object: Robert Conrad, actor.

- His first big TV break was as one of the Hawaiian Eyes, but he really caught our attention as secret agent Jim West on the classic action program Wild Wild West; he reprised his character, for which he did most of his own stunts, in two follow-up TV movies.

- From the old west to World War II, he played real life fighter ace Major Greg "Pappy" Boyington in Baa Baa Blacksheep (later renamed Blacksheep Squadron), for which he received a Golden Globe Award nomination; he also co-starred in the all-star mini-series Centennial.

- He starred in so many television series during the 1970's that he competed on Battle of the Network Stars six times, eventually hosting the program.

- His many other television appearances include guest roles on Maverick, Sea Hunt, 77 Sunset Strip and Mission: Impossible; film roles include Palm Springs Weekend, Young Dillinger (as "Pretty Boy" Floyd), The Lady in Red (as John Dillinger) and Jingle All the Way.

- Despite all this, he is probably best known for his series of TV commercials for Eveready batteries, where he dared you to "knock the batter off my shoulder".

Film Art: Super-Stud Edition

With all the talk of super-femmes yesterday, let's try to balance things out a bit with a little mutant testosterone, specifically the hunky hirsute hero Wolverine.

This fan art was created by J. Toronto at the Man's Adventure blog. The one on the left is actually a paper doll that you can dress up with a whole wardrobe-full of X-ensembles.

But let's be honest, we kind of like him just the way he is ... tighty whities and all.

Out of the Celluloid Closet: Spellbound

By the time a certain brilliant psychoanalyst shows up in Alfred Hitchcock's Spellbound, it is apparent that this one plays more like a Hitchcock wannabe then an actual Hitchcock film. All the stilted psychobabble and dated sexism doesn't help matters.

However, enlivening the proceedings is Dr. Alexander Brulov (played by German acting teacher Michael Chekhov in an Oscar nominated performance). Dr. Brulov is a confirmed bachelor (married to his work, you could say) who is enamored by his former assistant Ingrid Bergman (aren't we all?).

Cinching the deal is his response upon meeting the husband of Ingrid's Dr. Constance Petersen, played by a baby-faced Gregory Peck: he tells the strapping young lad that "any husband of Constance is a husband of mine". He clarifies it with a "so to speak", but we know where's he coming from.

Click here to buy Spellboundon DVD from Amazon.com.

Movie Moments: Into the Wild

WARNING: This article may contain possible spoilers for the movie Into the Wild. Proceed accordingly.

Academy Award nominee Hal Holbrook doesn't appear in Sean Penn's Into the Wild until well into the final act, but his performance will resonate as clearly as the rest of this emotionally wrenching true life drama will well after it is over.

Holbrook plays Ron Franz, a lonely retired man whose path crosses Emile Hirsch's reckless adventurer Chris McCandless. An unlikely but strong friendship develops between the two; however, Ron is still not able to convince Chris to abandon his dangerous trek to Alaska.

The scene in question takes place in Ron's car as he drops Chris off on the side of the highway on his first steps towards his destiny. In this confined space, Ron lays his soul bare in a last ditch effort to stop Chris from making what ends up being a fatal mistake. When his offer is turned down, the look on his face is heartbreakingly honest and real, a lone tear streaming down his weathered features.

Click here to buy Into the Wildon DVD from Amazon.com.

Happy Easter ...

... from the Crawfords.

Wonder Women

"Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman: all the world's waiting for you, and the powers you possess ... get us out from under, Wonder Woman!" (How did Bobby Van get to be more "special" then Anne Francis and Dick Van Patten?)

"Batgirl, Batgirl: where do you come from, where do you go? What is your scene baby, we just got to know ... yeah, who's baby are you?" (Quite possibly the best thing. Ever. Put. On. Television.)

"Electrawoman and Dynagirl, fighting all evil deeds. Each works for a magazine, hiding the life she leads ... Electrawoman and Dynagirl!" (Note the lesbian subtext.)

For more TV superheroine fun, see AfterElton.com's list of the ten greatest ... and most fabulous.

Costume Dramas: Audrey Hepburn Edition

Welcome to Costume Dramas, an occasional feature spotlighting memorable movie costumes. And who better to spotlight first then the best dressed woman in cinematic history, Audrey Hepburn.

Has there ever been, before or since, an actress that was as effortlessly glamorous as Audrey? From the legendary black dress of her Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's to the flower girl gone upper crust stylings of her Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, her classic look has made her a fashion icon for the ages. No wonder the Gap used her Funny Face image to hawk their unworthy wares in an infamous commercial. Heck, she even made a habit look good in The Nun's Story.

Of course, Audrey merely wore the clothes; but the designers behind them were amply rewarded beyond that honor: six of her films were nominated for Best Costume Design, with three ultimately winning the Oscar.

Tune in to TCM: A Crawford Centennial

Leave it to our patron saint, Joan Crawford, to lie about her age. Her date of birth is tomorrow, March 23, but the actual year varies from 1904 to 1908, depending on which source you rely on.

Joan herself said it was that later date, so that's the one Turner Classic Movies is basing a 100th birthday celebration on, with 24 hours devoted to screenings of a dozen of the film legend's movies, including the TCM premiere of her rare silent comedy Spring Fever. Other favorites scheduled to air include Torch Song, Grand Hotel, The Women, Humoresque and her Oscar winning role as Mildred Pierce.

The whole shebang kicks off at 8:00 PM EST tomorrow night with the TCM original documentary, Joan Crawford: The Ultimate Movie Star. Narrated by Angelica Huston, the tribute features interviews with Charles Busch, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Margaret O'Brien, Cliff Robertson and even daughter/Mommie Dearest author Christina Crawford.

Out in Film: Harvey Fierstein

Idol worship: Harvey Fierstein, actor/writer.

- He has been nominated for a Tony Award four times in four different categories -- and won each time: as actor and playwright of Torch Song Trilogy, as librettist for La Cage aux Folles and as actor for his legendary performance as Edna Turnblad in the musical Hairspray; he is tied with Tommy Tune as the most categorically diverse Tony winner ever.

- Other stage works include the ill-fated Peter Allen musical Legs Diamond, Safe Sex, Spookhouse and Forget Him; he also played Tevye in the most recent revival of Fiddler on the Roof.

- In addition to reprising his starring role in the movie version of Torch Song, he has co-starred in Garbo Talks, Mrs. Doubtfire, Bullets Over Broadway, Independence Day and Mulan; he also narrated the Oscar winning documentary The Times of Harvey Milk and appeared in The Celluloid Closet.

- Television guest shots include The Simpsons; Murder, She Wrote; Ellen; The Larry Sanders Show; Sesame Street and Cheers, receiving an Emmy nomination for the latter.

- He will return to the Great White Way later this month with A Catered Affair, a new musical based on the Bette Davis movie The Catered Affair. In addition to starring, he also wrote the book; could two more Tonys be in his future?

First Look: Ray Park as Snake Eyes

Underneath all that black leather is Ray Park, best known as Darth Maul from Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Here he is all ninja-ed up as Snake Eyes in the upcoming G.I. Joe.

Lost Out

WARNING: this post reveals possible spoilers for those who have not yet watched last night's episode of Lost. Proceed accordingly.

If you were wondering where the gay character was amidst the multi-cultural cast of characters inhabiting the mysterious island on Lost, your questions were answered in last night's episode. Too bad he's already dead.

There were previous hints that Tom Friendly, the burly "Other" portrayed by M.C. Gainey (the character actor best known as the "naked guy" in Sideways), played for our team, but definitive proof was revealed during one of the show's signature flashback sequences in this week's installment, which centered on traitorous castaway Michael (Oz's Harold Perrineau). Friendly was seen living it up in swanky New York hotel with a hunky companion by the name of Arturo (yeah, not exactly subtle, but hey, way to go, Big Tom).

Of course, any one who has seen last year's season finale, wherein Josh Holloway's Sawyer shot Mr. Friendly in cold blood, knows that Tom is no longer with us. Which makes him the second fictional character in the past few months to be "outed" post mortem. What is this, a new trend?

Mask on Stage

The stage musical version of Mask officially opens tonight.

The new tuner stars Michelle Duffy as Rusty Dennis (played by Cher in the 1985 movie), Greg Evigan as her boyfriend Gar (Sam Elliott) and Allen E. Read as Rocky, the role that made Eric Stoltz a star.

Future Shock

More remakes are on the horizon, further mining the films of my younger years and making me feel real old. So let's all feel old together:

First up is the vague news of a RoboCop reboot. The original is a sci fi classic (directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring Peter Weller) that was followed by crappy sequels and TV series, so initial hopes aren't very high that this one will fare any better then those attempted follow-ups.

Next is yet another attempt to bring Frank Herbert's epic novel Dune to the screen. Both David Lynch's version (featuring Sting and his futuristic Speedo) and the Sci Fi Channel mini-series tried to adapt the dense work previously. Now, actor (Chicago Hope) turned director (Very Bad Things) Peter Berg is slated to direct, but if Lynch couldn't do it ...

And lastly, Heavy Metal, the animated anthology based on the cult magazine, will return to the screen once more, although this sounds more like another sequel (or "continuation") then an actual remake. Fight Club's David Fincher will direct one of the segments.

UPDATE: The Robocop sequel just got interesting: Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream) has signed up to direct.

Poster Post: Speed Thrills

Christina Ricci moons over Emile Hirsch (do you blame her?) in the latest posters for Speed Racer, in theaters May 9.

Click here to buy Speed Racerposters from Amazon.com.

Toy Story Musical Sets Sail

The all-new Toy Story - The Musical will have its world premiere this weekend aboard the Disney Cruise Line. Click here for a behind the scenes video on the making of the show.

UPDATE: The New York Post says the "hour-long musical's pedigree and entertainment style are way outside the cruise ship norm, even in comparison to the other shows Disney mounts on its ships".

The Latest in Theaters: Spring Fever

"Hey man, I know it's last minute, but do you want to go to prom with me?"

For a holiday weekend, not much new in theaters this week:

• Drillbit Taylor: Owen Wilson stars a would-be soldier-of-fortune hired by two freshmen nerds in this modern My Bodyguard.
• Meet the Browns: Angela Bassett is a single mother encountering her raucous relatives for the first time in the latest from Tyler Perry.
• Shutter: Joshua Jackson and Rachael Taylor are honeymooners taking spooky pictures in yet another Asian-type horror flick.
• Under the Same Moon: America Ferrara co-stars in this south of the border drama about a boy seeking to reunite with his mother.

Visit Fandango - Search movie showtimes and buy tickets.

Ogre Achiever

Shrek the Musical has its star: Tony nominated actor Brian d'Arcy James (Sweet Smell of Success) will play the title role in the new tuner, based on the Oscar winning animated hit (maybe he can get green makeup tips from Idina Menzel).

Also recently cast is Chester Gregory II (Tarzan, the current Cry-Baby) as Donkey and Avenue Qute Tony nominee John Tartaglia (who knows his puppets) as Pinocchio.

Shrek the Musical will begin previews at the Broadway Theatre on November 8 and open on December 14.

UPDATE: More cast members have been announced.

Jett Set

Here is the first in a new line of "Movie Icon" figures from Hot Toys: James Dean as Jett Rink in Giant. The fully articulated 12-inch doll comes complete with cowboy hat, boots and cigarette.

Click on above link to purchase from Sideshow Collectibles.

Mamma Mia, Here We Go Again

The newest trailer for the movie version of the Broadway hit Mamma Mia! (featuring History Boy Dominic Cooper and Mean Girl Amanda Seyfried as the young lovers), in theaters July 18.

Paul Scofield: 1922-2008

Paul Scofield, who won both a Tony and an Oscar as Sir Thomas More in A Man for All Seasons, passed away yesterday.

Known as one of the most gifted actors of the British stage, Scofield made his mark on film as well in such Shakespearean adaptations as Peter Brook's King Lear, Kenneth Branagh's Henry V and Franco Zeffirelli's Hamlet, plus Quiz Show (receiving his second Academy Award nomination) and The Crucible. He also originated the role of Antonio Salieri in the London production of Amadeus.

Spring Break

Today is the first day of spring, so, you know, let's sing a gay little spring song.

First Look: Benicio los Lobo

Yes, that is Benicio Del Toro under all that Rick Baker make-up for the upcoming remake of The Wolfman.

Women We Love: Kristin Chenoweth

Object of our affection: Kristin Chenoweth, actress/singer.

- She won her Tony Award for creating the show-stopping role of Sally Brown in the revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown and was also nominated for her scene-stealing Glinda the Good in Wicked; other Broadway shows include Steel Pier and The Apple Tree.

- On TV, she starred in Kristin, a short-lived sitcom, then visited The West Wing on a recurring basis; currently, she appears as the lovelorn Olive Snook on Pushing Daisies.

- Other television work includes guest spots on Frasier and Ugly Betty and the TV movie remakes of Annie and The Music Man, wherein she shined as the stalwart Marion the Librarian.

- In the movies, she has appeared in Bewitched, The Pink Panther, RV, Stranger Than Fiction, Running With Scissors and Deck the Halls; she is currently attached to three upcoming animated features (Space Chimps, Tinker Bell and Rapunzel) and a planned biopic of Dusty Springfield.

- She was last seen belting out the Enchanted tune "That's How You Know" at this year's Academy Awards.

Awards Watch: GLAAD NY

The feature film winners of the 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards were presented last night in New York, the first of four ceremonies across the country honoring various media for their "fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and the issues that affect their lives".

Eytan Fox's The Bubble was named Outstanding Film - Limited Release, while the fantasy Stardust (starring Robert De Niro as a gay pirate) received similar honors as Outstanding Film - Wide Release (I know, it's a long way from Brokeback Mountain). For the Bible Tells Me So, the acclaimed non-fiction film about homosexuality and religion (featuring Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Episcopalian bishop) won as Outstanding Documentary.

GLAAD also recently announced the awards program will be broadcast on Bravo (the unofficial gay network) later this year, the first time it will air on a fully distributed national cable channel (it previously was broadcast on LOGO, the official gay network). Additional awards will be presented in South Florida on April 12, Los Angeles on April 26 and in San Francisco on May 10.

For pix of all the celebs in attendance, visit AfterElton.com, winner for Outstanding Digital Journalism.

Arthur C. Clarke: 1917-2008

Arthur C. Clarke, the legendary science fiction author who received an Oscar nomination for his screenplay of the seminal sci fi epic 2001: A Space Odyssey, passed away today at the age of 90.

Anthony Minghella: 1954-2008

Anthony Minghella, the Academy Award-winning director of The English Patient, died today at the age of 54.

A stage and television director in his native Britain, Minghella made his feature directorial debut with Truly, Madly, Deeply, which he also wrote. Other credits as writer/director include The Talented Mr. Ripley, Cold Mountain and Breaking and Entering, all starring Jude Law. As a producer, his credits include Iris, The Quiet American, The Interpreter and recent Oscar-nominee Michael Clayton.

The Latest on DVD: Triple Play

Spring is here, which means baseball season ... I think. Have to admit it, not a big sports fan (yeah, what a shocker), but three classic baseball movies are hitting DVD today in special editions:

• Eight Men Out: 20th Anniversary Edition: John Sayles' engrossing look at the infamous Black Sox scandal stars John Cusack, Charlie Sheen and D.B. Sweeney.
• The Pride of the Yankees: 65th Anniversary Edition: Nominated for 11 Oscars, this inspirational biography stars Gary Cooper as the legendary Lou Gehrig.
• Bull Durham: 20th Anniversary Edition: Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins make the minor leagues sexy.

Click on the above titles for more information or to buy from Amazon.com. For more of this week's DVD releases, see the Amazon widgets located in the sidebar.

Poster Post: Isn't it Iron-ic?

The latest poster art for Iron Man, in theaters May 2.

Click here to buy Iron Manposters from Amazon.com.

Don't Feed the Plants

Never had the opportunity to see this before, but have heard about it for years: the infamous, complete original ending to the 1986 film version of Little Shop of Horrors.

And while this was faithful to the stage musical (and obviously very expensive), I'd have to say the test audiences were right for a change when they vetoed this dark downer of a finale. After all, how could you like a movie that kills off Ellen Greene?

Step Up

Per Playbill.com: "The 39 Steps, the gleefully silly stage version of the classic Alfred Hitchcock thriller, will transfer to a commercial Broadway run -- at the Cort Theatre -- starting April 29, following its current not-for-profit engagement at the American Airlines Theatre."

Cinematic Crush: Lee Majors

Movie Dearest continues a month long look at the hottest "Retro TV Hunks", the actors who brought prime beefcake to primetime during the 70's and 80's.

Crush object: Lee Majors, actor.

- He is best known as Colonel Steve Austin, the astronaut better known as The Six Million Dollar Man; in addition to his own series, he guest-starred as the bionic man on the spin-off, The Bionic Woman, and starred in several TV movies (the last of which, Bionic Ever After?, has one of the best titles ever).

- Prior to all the bionics, he was the hunky Barkley bastard Heath on The Big Valley; other western roles include Sheriff Will Kane in an ill-advised High Noon sequel.

- He entered the 80's as stunt man Colt Seavers in The Fall Guy; and yes, that was him singing the theme song, "The Ballad of the Unknown Stuntman", wherein he name drops his ex-wife, Farrah Fawcett (speaking of which, the couple guest-starred on the very first episode of The Brady Bunch Hour).

- Other series he has appeared on include Owen Marshall, Attorney at Law; Marcus Welby, M.D.; The Virginian, Tour of Duty, Raven, Son of a Beach and Will and Grace.

- His film debut was in Strait-Jacket, starring Joan Crawford; otherwise, his film career is not very noteworthy, save for a memorable cameo in Scrooged, parodying his most famous character, Steve Austin.

Erin Go Bragh

Top of the morning to you, and a happy Saint Patrick's Day to all!

And no, I'm not going to recommend The Quiet Man.

Instead, we're going to the more fanciful Emerald Isle for Darby O'Gill and the Little People, an often overlooked Disney gem featuring magical leprechauns, vengeful banshees and clever visual effects, still effective in this age of hobbits and boy wizards. You will be thoroughly enchanted by this colorful fantasy, filled to the brim with whimsical blarney ... plus, as an added bonus: a very young (and very hunky) Sean Connery singing an Irish ditty. And that's nothing to shake a shillelagh at ...

Click here to buy Darby O'Gill and the Little Peopleon DVD from Amazon.com.

Flirty Dancing

The sixth season of the way-gay guilty pleasure Dancing With the Stars begins tomorrow, part of a "live two night premiere event", according to the breathless -- and ubiquitous -- ABC promotions.

As previously reported, stage and screen stars to keep an eye on include (clockwise from top left) 80's icon Steve Guttenberg, American Pie starlet Shannon Elizabeth, Oscar winning actress Marlee Matlin, Tony winning Hair-hopper Marissa Jaret Winokur, rock royalty Priscilla Presley and Latin heartthrob Cristián de la Fuente, as well as athletes Monica Seles, Jason Taylor and Kristi Yamaguchi, recording artist Mario and, last (and least), professional goofballs Adam Corolla and Penn Jillette (either of whom can be the first to go, as far as I'm concerned).

All three of the "we take this way too seriously" judges -- Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli -- return, as do hosts Tom Bergeron (who should win that new Emmy) and Samantha Harris (who shouldn't get her hopes up for that new Emmy).

R2-D2, Where Are You?

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Star Wars last year, George Lucas was actually able to convince the United States Postal Service to transform some of their mailboxes into R2-D2 look-alikes. They actually didn't last long, as the ever intrepid, enormously witty (and scruffily adorable) O.T.I.S. (of "Odd Things I've Seen" fame) found out when he set out to find one of these examples of extreme movie marketing.

And if you ever find yourself face to face with an R2 unit, as he did, be sure to have this handy-dandy translator close by, you know, in case you want to order a pizza or tell someone to #*%$ off.

Film Art: Ladies We Talk About

Glen Hanson's wonderful, witty caricatures of a collection of classy, classic "Legendary Ladies of Stage & Screen", a recent event at the Los Angeles Smithsonian.

Don't Shed a Tear, Cry-Baby is Here

Who knew that we would live to see the day that not one, but two John Waters movies would be musicals on Broadway? Following in the Tony winning footsteps of Hairspray, Cry-Baby began previews tonight at the Marquis Theatre, with an official opening set for April 24.

For behind-the-scenes videos of the new tuner or to watch clips from the original movie, visit the show's own YouTube page.

It's Going to Live Forever

Starting with the Academy Award-winning movie, Fame has gone through many incarnations, including an Emmy winning television show, an Off-Broadway stage production and an ill-conceived reality show. And now it will be remade.

Let's just hope that they correct some factual errors from the original movie this time around. Namely: did they really expect us to believe that there was only one gay kid in all of the New York City High School for the Performing Arts?

Giving Props: Baby Jane Hudson Doll

This post starts off an occasional feature spotlighting memorable movie props.

What could be more creepier then a life size "Bette Davis Jr." doll? How about if it is being toted around by a life size Bette Davis?

As seen in the classic thriller What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, the Baby Jane Hudson doll was surely modeled after actual Shirley Temple dolls. Again, not sure which is creepier.

MD Poll: Bio-Engineered

With the completion of filming for Gus Van Sant's eagerly awaited Milk, the upcoming biopic of gay icon Harvey Milk (written by Dustin Lance Black and starring Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, James Franco, Emile Hirsch, Lucas Grabeel and ... Bryan Singer?), the latest MD Poll takes a look at other famous queer folk and the movies based on their lives and asks, "which is your favorite?":

• Before Night Falls- As Cuban poet Reinaldo Arenas, Javier Bardem received his first Oscar nomination.
• Boys Don't Cry- Hilary Swank won her first Academy Award as hate crime victim Brandon Teena.
• Capote- Philip Seymour Hoffman won his Oscar as author Truman Capote, also the subject of Infamous.
• De-Lovely- Kevin Kline's songwriting Cole Porter hewed more to the truth then Cary Grant's in Night and Day.
• Gods and Monsters- In the role of film director James Whale, Ian McKellen became the first out gay actor to receive an Oscar nomination for playing a gay character.
• Kinsey- Although historians are in dispute over Alfred Kinsey's bisexuality, the film (starring Liam Neeson) doesn't shy away from the subject.
• Monster- As convicted serial killer Aileen Wuornos, Charlize Theron won her Academy Award.
• Prick Up Your Ears- Gary Oldman played English playwright Joe Orton, with Alfred Molina as his lover/murderer Kenneth Halliwell.
• Running With Scissors- Joseph Cross starred as author Augusten Burroughs in the adaptation of his best-selling memoir.
• Wilde- Stephen Fry received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance of legendary writer Oscar Wilde.

Place your vote in the poll located in the sidebar to your right; results will be revealed in two weeks.

UPDATE: This poll is now closed. Click here for the results, and click here to vote in the latest MD Poll.

Trivial Pursuits: Enchanted Edition

Disney's romantic fantasy Enchanted (coming to DVD this Tuesday) was more then just inspired by the animated fairy tales that came before it ... it is practically a visual encyclopedia of iconic imagery from the studio's catalog of classics. Here are some of the best (slightly spoilerish) examples:

• The film opens with a storybook, as several Disney masterpieces have.
• The troll that threatens Giselle (Amy Adams) is wearing remnants of past Disney princess dresses as a loincloth; he also wears Ariel's shells as earrings.
• The rose bell jar from Beauty and the Beast can be seen in Giselle's cottage.
• Giselle's journey through the magic wishing well is similar to Alice's journey to Wonderland.
• Upon arriving in New York, Giselle mistakes a little person for Grumpy.
• The last name of Patrick Dempsey's character is Philip, as in Prince Phillip from Sleeping Beauty; the last name of Idina Menzel's character is Tremaine, as in Lady Tremaine from Cinderella.
• During "Happy Working Song" (a direct descendant of "Whistle While You Work" from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs), Giselle is seen reflected in soap bubbles, à la Cinderella.
• The bus driver's hair is shaped like Mickey Mouse ears.
• The name of Robert's law firm -- Churchill, Harline & Smith -- is an homage to Snow White songwriters Frank Churchill, Leigh Harline, and Paul J. Smith.
• The couple seeking divorce is named Banks, as in the Banks family from Mary Poppins.
• Jodi Benson, who voiced Ariel in The Little Mermaid, plays Robert’s secretary; during her scene in the law offices, "Part of Your World" can be heard playing on the Muzak system.
• When Nathaniel offers Giselle a poisoned caramel apple, it bears the same skull-shaped design as the Queen's apple in Snow White.
• The fellow in the yellow jacket during the "old folks" section of "That's How You Know" is Harvey Evans, who played one of the dancing chimney sweeps in Mary Poppins.
• Later during the same musical number, a children's theater is seen performing Rapunzel, soon (finally) to be a major motion picture from Disney Feature Animation.
• The hotel that Edward stays out is called the Grand Duke, à la Cinderella.
• During the hotel room scene, a soap opera is seen on the television; Paige O'Hara, who voiced Belle in Beauty and the Beast, plays the actress, and the Beauty theme song can be heard as the underscore; scenes from Dumbo and Fun and Fancy Free can also be heard on the TV.
• The Italian restaurant is named "Belle Notte", after the song from Lady and the Tramp; James Marsden (Prince Edward) singing "That's Amore" can be heard at the start of this sequence.
• The TV newscaster, Mary Ilene Caselotti, is named after the original voices of Princesses Aurora (Mary Costa), Cinderella (Ilene Woods) and Snow White (Adriana Caselotti).
• The harried mother who tells Edward that he is "too late" is played by Judy Kuhn, the singing voice of Pocahontas.
• The choreography and cinematography during "So Close" is reminiscent of the ballroom scene in Beauty and the Beast; Robert's costume in this scene resembles the Beast's as well.
• At different points in the movie, Queen Narissa transforms into an old crone, just like the Queen in Snow White, and a giant dragon, just like Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty.
• When Prince Edward puts the slipper on Nancy, it is a perfect fit, again à la Cinderella.
• The Lion King's Pumbaa makes a cameo appearance during the final montage, standing in line waiting for Pip's autograph.
• And finally: it all ends with a "happily ever after", courtesy of narrator (and Disney Legend) Julie Andrews.

Click here to pre-order Enchantedon DVD from Amazon.com.

UPDATE: Click here to read my full DVD review of Enchanted on LaughingPlace.com.

Out in Film: Nathan Lane

Idol worship: Nathan Lane, actor.

- Star of stage, screen and television, he has won awards for all three: two Tonys, two Emmys and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

- On Broadway, he originated the roles of Max Bialystock in Mel Brooks' The Producers (recreating it on film as well) and Buzz in Terrence McNally 's Love! Valour! Compassion! and has also starred in revivals of Guys and Dolls, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Man Who Came to Dinner, The Odd Couple and Butley; he is currently headlining David Mamet's political satire November.

- In the movies, he has co-starred in Frankie and Johnny, Jeffrey, The Birdcage, Mousehunt and Nicholas Nickleby.

- Turning to TV, he has guest-starred on such favorites as Frasier, Sex and the City, Absolutely Fabulous and 30 Rock and starred in the short-lived sitcom Encore! Encore!

- Also a prolific voice-over performer, he voiced the show tune belting meerkat Timon in The Lion King trilogy, the fussy feline Snowball in the Stuart Little movies and the title character in Teacher's Pet.

The "L" Stands for "Longer"

Going one step further then Queer as Folk (which only lasted five years), The L Word has been renewed for a sixth -- and final -- season. An abbreviated (eight episodes) run will air early next year on Showtime.

Gay of the Dead

The NSFW trailer (due to sex, nudity, evisceration ... ) for Bruce La Bruce's Otto; or Up with Dead People, just another gay zombies in love story.

Speed Zone

The full-length trailer for Speed Racer, the trippy movie version (directed by the Wachowski brothers) of the classic cartoon show, zooming into theaters May 9.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Emile Hirsch looks adorable as the driven (ahem) title character. With this one and Milk in November, you can expect to see his name mentioned a lot around here this year.

UPDATE: The extended international trailer is now available on the official Speed Racer website.

How I Met Your Piggy

Jason Segel, co-star of the sitcom How I Met Your Mother and the upcoming movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall (directed by Nick Stoller), has been signed by Disney to pen the next Muppet movie, with Stoller directing.

It will be great to see Kermit, Miss Piggy and company back on the big screen again, especially considering that their last two movies -- It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie and The Muppets Wizard of Oz -- were television productions ... and god awful.

Hopefully Segal and Stoller will be able to recapture the magic of the early Muppets. Which reminds me: the third season DVD set of The Muppet Showwill be available May 20.

UPDATE: Jason Segel fills MTV.com in on his take of the Muppets, and if you love them old school (as in the original series and first three movies), you'll be happy to hear it.

Billy the Hit

Next season's Tony Award winner for Best Musical, Billy Elliot, is officially heading to Broadway. Previews will start September 17 at the Imperial Theatre, with an opening night set for October 16.

Stephen Daldry, who received an Oscar nomination for the original film, will direct, as he did with the Olivier Award-winning West End production. The show features music by Elton John.

If I seem a bit presumptuous about the Tony thing, I ... and anyone who has heard the London cast albumwould agree with me ... feel completely certain that it will be victorious on this side of the pond as it was in England. That is, if they don't screw up the transfer by trying to Americanize it.

Is the World Ready For ...

... Beverly Hills, 90210: The Next Generation?

The Latest in Theaters: Fight School

What's new at the multiplexes this week:

• Never Back Down: Think The Karate Kid Goes to Fight Club; with all the shirtless hotties beating the crap out of each other in the trailer and a poster described by Imdb as resembling "an anti-meth ad you'd see at Castro Street station", this just may be 2008's first entry into the "Celluloid Closet". Djimon Hounsou takes on the Mr. Migayi role.
• Funny Games: Naomi Watts and Tim Roth play a married couple terrorized by a pair of preppy psychos in Michael Haneke's American remake of his own 1997 German thriller.
• Doomsday: Yet another post-apocolyptic sci fi thriller about a London decimated by a lethal virus; 28 Weeks Later, anyone?
• Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!: Following the live action messes done to previous Dr. Seuss properties (the Grinch, the Cat in the Hat), this one has a lot to make up for; however, (stunt) casting Jim Carrey and Steve Carell does not bode well for the poetic pachyderm.

Visit Fandango - Search movie showtimes and buy tickets.

Dancing Feat

Dancing in the Dark, the new stage adaptation of the classic movie musical The Band Wagon, had its world premiere tonight at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego.

Scott Bakula, in the role created onscreen by Fred Astaire, stars in the tuner, which includes such show tune standards as "That's Entertainment!", "Triplets" and the title song.

Pixar Dust

The Pixar-ization of the Disney theme parks continues, with the Block Party Bash parade relocating from Disney's California Adventure to Disney's Hollywood Studios earlier this week.

What's taking its place at DCA? Yep, another Pixar-themed street extravaganza called the Pixar Play Parade, starting tomorrow.

Still to come at both parks: Toy Story Mania!

Green Piece

Déjà vu: the somewhat underwhelming trailer for the somewhat redundant The Incredible Hulk, in theaters June 13.

Remake, Horrors!

Whether you are more terrified of the spawn of Satan or carnivorous produce, the recent news that remakes of two very different horror favorites should scare you in equal measure.

First, the certified classic Rosemary's Baby will be delivered again on the big screen, with Transformers director Michael Bay (eek!) serving as the midwife. On the other end of the spectrum, the title vegetables (or are they fruit?) of the cult comedy Attack of the Killer Tomatoes are preparing to attack once more.

And while the former seems entirely unnecessary, the latter could work, but only if they keep the original theme song, easily one of the best title tunes ever. All together now: "I know I'm going to miss her/A tomato ate my sister ... "

UPDATE: The Rosemary's Baby remake has been scrapped.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Duo

There wont' be seven Harry Potter movies after all ... make that eight. Citing that it is just "too long" to fit into just one film, Warner Bros. has announced that the seventh and final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, will be split in two for the big screen.

David Yates, who directed Order of the Phoenix (the best of the lot so far in my book) and this year's Half-Blood Prince, will helm the two parts, which will be filmed back to back and be released in November 2010 and May 2011, respectively.

This seems like a win-win situation all around. Fans of the books have always carped about cuts in the story made in the transition to film, and Warners gets to milk their cash cow just a little bit longer.

Heartbeeps

The full-length trailer for Disney/Pixar's summer tale of robots in love, WALL·E.

Women We Love: Idina Menzel

Object of our affection: Idina Menzel, actress/singer.

- She perfected her "moo" and nabbed her first Tony nomination as the militant bisexual performance artist Maureen in the legendary original cast of Rent, where she also landed her future husband, Taye Diggs; she reprised her role in the film version as well.

- The "Greenie" cult began with her iconic character Elphaba (a.k.a. the Wicked Witch of the West) in Wicked, a role that won her that Tony Award and a legion of avid devotees (see the latest MD Poll results for ample proof of that); she also played Elphaba in the London production.

- Other stage works include Summer of '42, Hair, Aida, The Wild Party, The Vagina Monologues and See What I Wanna See.

- Last year, she appeared in (but didn't sing) in Enchanted (out on DVDthis Tuesday) and sang the theme song for (but didn't appear in) Beowulf.

- Her third solo album, I Stand,was released earlier this year; to promote it, she will headline a concert tour starting next month.

Steel Standing

Despite consistent rumors to the contrary, Bryan Singer has confirmed that Superman: The Man of Steel, the sequel to his Superman Returns, is still in development, with him returning as director.

Brandon Routh is also expected to don the blue tights once more as well.

Theatrical Mask

The Oscar winning Peter Bogdanovich drama Mask, which starred Cher as the biker chick mom of a disfigured Eric Stoltz, makes its world premiere as a stage musical today in Pasadena, California.

With a book by original screenwriter Anna Hamilton Phelan, the only "name" in the new production is former B.J. McKay Greg Evigan in the Sam Elliott role.

MD Poll: Wicked Face Off

The battle of the Broadway divas in the latest MD Poll came down to a close race between, in Wicked terms, the "green" and the "good".

Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, the original co-stars of the stage musical back story of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good, were neck and neck in the voting. But, just as Idina triumphed at the Tony Awards, the former Elphaba topped out our poll with over 24%. However, Kristin's 21% ain't too shabby either, and it don't take a mathematician to see that the Wicked ladies together scored nearly half of the total 128 votes.

To honor the two leading leading ladies, Idina will be profiled in this week's Women We Love (later today), with Kristin stepping into the spotlight next Wednesday. In the meantime, see the complete stats for this week's poll in the comments section below, and click here to vote in the latest MD Poll.

Promises Fulfilled

More then just "the movie where Aragorn fights naked", Eastern Promises is a gritty, gripping contemporary thriller in the classic style of Hitchcock, easily David Cronenberg's finest film to date. Steven Knight's script, appearing simple on the surface, steadily unfolds to reveal depths of mood and motivations richly rewarding in its dramatic payoff.

Viggo Mortensen's Oscar nominated performances as soft-spoken, hard-boiled Russian mafia chauffeur Nikolai is, in a word, mesmerizing, and Naomi Watts makes a natural, modern Hitchcock blonde. The screen crackles with their chemistry. Highly recommended.

Click here to buy Eastern Promiseson DVD from Amazon.com.

All Singing! All Dancing!

The new That's Entertainment!-esque documentary Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical Treasure is currently airing on PBS (check local listings).

Hosted by Marion the Librarian herself, Shirley Jones, the program includes movie musical highlights from such all-time favorites as The Wizard of Oz, Singin' in the Rain, West Side Story, Cabaret, Chicago and more, with commentary from the likes of Leslie Caron, Bill Condon, Joel Grey, Tab Hunter, Shirley MacLaine, Liza Minnelli, Rob Marshall, Rita Moreno, Debbie Reynolds, Mickey Rooney, Jane Russell and Tommy Tune.

For a sneak preview, watch the trailer here.

The Latest on DVD: Welcome Home, Friend-O

The home video debut of this year's Best Picture winner leads off this week's new releases on DVD (see the Amazon widgets in the sidebar for more).

Click here to buy No Country for Old Menfrom Amazon.com.

Poster Post: Jones and Co.

The classically retro-styled new poster art for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Will it be the cinematic savior of this summer?

Click here to buy Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skullposters from Amazon.com.

Cinematic Crush: Patrick Duffy

Movie Dearest continues a month long look at the hottest "Retro TV Hunks", the actors who brought prime beefcake to primetime during the 70's and 80's.

Crush object: Patrick Duffy, actor.

- He is best known as the do-good Ewing brother Bobby on the long-running primetime soap classic Dallas; his death and "resurrection" remains the most infamous plot twist in television history.

- Prior to drilling for oil in Texas, he was The Man from Atlantis, a role whose costume consisted of webbed hands, skimpy bathing trunks and little else (and thus, the crush was born).

- Post-Dallas, he starred in the very Brady sitcom Step by Step alongside Suzanne Summers, and has most recently appeared on the daytime serial The Bold and the Beautiful.

- Beginning with Enola Gay: The Men, the Mission, the Atomic Bomb, he has starred in a string of popular TV movies, including Children of the Bride, wherein he romanced Golden Girl Rue McClanahan.

- He has also tried his hand in directing with both Dallas and Step by Step, as well as producing, including the two Dallas reunion movies; he is currently working on a third Dallas TV movie that will air on SoapNet, which currently airs repeats of the series that made him a star.

Extreme Edie

What do you get when you cross Christine Ebersole and Grey Gardens with Ty Pennington and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition with The Big Gay Sketch Show? Watch here.

And for more Big Gay mash-ups, tomorrow night's episode (airing on LOGO) is scheduled to show when Harry (Potter) met ... Fitzwilliam!

Big Hair, Big Win

The hit London production of Hairspray, which set a Laurence Olivier Award record with 11 nominations, won big tonight with four Oliviers, including the top prize for Best New Musical.

Stars Leanne Jones, Michael Ball and Tracie Bennett also won for their roles as, respectively, Tracy Turnblad, Edna Turnblad and Velma Von Tussle.

Film Art: Let's Talk About Your Big But

Gabe Swarr's "I Know You Are, but What Am I?", his acrylic tribute to the classic cult comedy Pee-Wee's Big Adventure.

Tops of the Topless

You know, women and gay men sure have it easy when it comes to eyeballing their favorite manly-man actors naked from the waist up. Unlike straight guys and lesbians, we can ogle pectacular exposed man flesh in everything from boxing flicks to Biblical epics to G-rated fare, no muss, no fuss.

ReelzChannel takes a look at the history of these "topless thespians" in a handy-dandy viewers guide of some notable moments of male mammary movie moments, from Clark Gable's legendary "no undershirt" bit in It Happened One Night to Matthew McConaughey in ... well, just about everything he's ever done, god bless him.

Purple Reign

Fantasia Barrino, who had a lengthy, critically acclaimed run as Celie in The Color Purple on Broadway, recently told MTV News that she will star in the upcoming, Oprah produced movie musical remake of the Steven Spielberg film.

To get a taste of things to come, here she is performing "I'm Here" at last year's Tony Awards.

Out in Film: Paolo Andino

Idol worship: Paolo Andino, actor.

- He recently joined LOGO's Big Gay Sketch Show during its second season, increasing the show's hunk factor -- and talent quotient -- considerably.

- Notable characters have included Antonio Banderas (on Dancing With the Stars, naturally) and Dynasty's Blake Carrington, but his breakout character has got to be Naldo, the sexy WeHo Express delivery man who knows how to (ahem) handle a package.

- On film, he has appeared in the independent features Choking Man and Shut Up and Do It!; he has also paid his TV dues on the soaps (One Life To Live, As the World Turns, Guiding Light) and the requisite Law & Order appearance (a must for any New York based actor).

- A Master of Fine Arts degree holder, he has appeared onstage in everything from Shakespeare to experimental theater.

- Starting next week, he and fellow Sketch-er Jonny McGovern will have their own vlog on AfterElton.com; in the meantime, the site offers a sneak peek of Paolo -- along with his adorable boyfriend Matt Cronin.

Best of the Fests: SXSW 2008

The South by Southwest Film Festival kicks off today in Austin, Texas; of special note is this Sunday's world premiere of Beautiful Losers, a new feature documentary from directors Aaron Rose and Joshua Leonard that explores the creative ethos driving youth culture and popular art today:

"For over a decade, outsider sub-cultures have influenced the mainstream ... First a traveling museum exhibition and book,Beautiful Losers, is now an unique documentary celebrating the independent and D.I.Y. spirit that unified a loose-knit group of American artists who emerged from the underground worlds of skateboarding, graffiti, punk and hip hop."

For more information on Beautiful Losers and to watch the trailer, visit the film's official website.

UPDATE: IndieWire is reporting that Nike (yes, that Nike) is spear-heading the theatrical release of Beautiful Losers.

A Tale of Two Titles

Whenever one sees a list of the worst movie titles in history, invariably you'll see these two sub-B movies (they usually sprout up on lists of the worst movies period too): The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies!! and Rat Pfink a Boo Boo.

Billed as "the world's first monster musical!", the former (a cautionary tale for young men to not get involved with vengeful carnival fortune tellers) has also gone by the not-an-improvement titles The Teenage Psycho Meets Bloody Mary, Diabolical Dr. Voodoo and Cabaret der Zombies.

As for the latter (a low budget spoof of the 60's Batman TV series), the title was actually supposed to be Rat Pfink and Boo Boo, but when the original prints were delivered, it was discovered the title designer left off the "n" and "d". The filmmakers couldn't afford to correct it, and a bad movie legend was born.

Both movies will air tomorrow morning on Turner Classic Movies as part of their TCM Underground series of cult favorites.

First Look: The Watchmen

Exactly one-year prior to its release date, director Zack Snyder has released the first official images of some of his Watchmen cast, including Jeffrey Dean Morgan (a long way from Seattle General) as the Comedian.

Others include Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach, Patrick Wilson as Nite Owl, Matthew Goode as Ozymandias and Malin Akerman as the Silk Spectre. Sadly, no advance look yet at Billy Crudup as the big blue naked guy Dr. Manhattan.

Watchmen will open in theaters March 6, 2009.

UPDATE: CinemaBlend has posted a nifty side-by-side comparison of the movie and comic characters (original link spotted on AfterElton.com).

The Latest in Theaters: Cavemen, Skater Boys and Miss Pettigrew

Quite the eclectic mix of new movies this week, ranging from big budget blockbuster wannabes to potential indie breakouts:

• 10,000 B.C.: Roland Emmerich's prehistoric adventure is hoping for some of that 300 springtime box office bounty; plot is a tad reminiscent of Apocalypto.
• Paranoid Park: Gus Van Sant's latest (an Independent Spirit Award Best Picture nominee) takes a look at skateboard culture; plot is a tad reminiscent of River's Edge.
• Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day: Two of our faves, Frances McDormand and Amy Adams, team up in this charming period confection, co-starring Pushing Daisies' Lee Pace.
• The Bank Job: Jason Statham butches it up again in this "based on a true story" crime caper.
• Married Life: Chris Cooper, Patricia Clarkson and Rachel McAdams are the three points of a love triangle ... with Pierce Brosnan providing the homicidal solution.

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Gay Indie Jones

Two classics of queer cinema, both long absent from DVD, are finally making their debuts on the format in the coming weeks:

• Tongues Untied: Marlon Riggs' revolutionary documentary celebrates "black men loving black men as a revolutionary act". Utilizing experimental techniques that combine poetry, memoir and even comedy (as in the "Institute of Snap!thology" sequence, where you can learn to do the "diva snap", among others), the film was one of the first to seriously address gay men of color. (Available March 18.)
• The Living End: Advertised as "An Irresponsible Movie by Gregg Araki", this independent road movie follows a pair of HIV+ gay men as they fight back against the society that views them as doomed outcasts; think of it as an even queerer Thelma & Louise. This DVD edition has been personally remastered and remixed by Araki. (Available April 29).

Click on the links above to pre-order from Amazon.com.

Suddenly, Jamie Sommers

Perhaps the new version of The Bionic Woman would have fared better with some good old-fashioned merchandise, like this original Jamie Sommers doll.

Not only did her head click when you turned it (in a low tech attempt to represent her bionic ear), but she also had some pretty stylin' accessories, including a handy "Bionic Mission Purse", a "Bionic Sports Car" (better get those breaks fixed, Jamie), an inflatable "Bionic Dome House", her own line of "Bionic Designer Fashions" (including "Country Comfort", "Lilac Butterfly" and "Fiesta!") and even a "Bionic Beauty Salon" (huh?).

What is most interesting about these retro commercials is how girly they were, downplaying the science fiction aspect of the actual series in place of, well, dolling her up for the next time hunky astronaut Steve Austin decides to drop by. At least Kenner gave us a Fembot for Jamie to spar with ("“Now I have to disguise myself as a mystery lady and no one will recognize me, not even Jamie … HA-HA!”). Of course, these dolls were made for girls ... and yes, I so had one.

Original link spotted on Kindertrauma.com.