See you at the debates, Bitches!

I'll give it to Paris, she has a sense of humor. Her response to that John McCain Celebrity ad:

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Requiem for a cheeky 'Batman'

Lorenzo Semple Jr. is the award-winning screenwriter of such films as "The Parallax View," "Three Days of the Condor" and "Papillon." I've enjoyed his movie reviews on YouTube as part of the duo ReelGeezers (watch their review of Dark Knight here.)
But Lorenzo also wrote the original Batman TV show in the 60's. He's written a fascinating article in Variety about the TV show's creation.

From the very beginning, Bill Dozier and I had seen millionaire Bruce Wayne and his Bat regalia as classy comedy, hopefully appealing to kids as an absurdly jolly action piece and to grown-ups for its deadpan satire, entirely nonfraught with psychological issues. I mean, golly gee! How else can one view a character who enters a nightclub in full Batgarb and mask, accompanied by a gorgeous chick, and when greeted by the maitre d' with an obsequious "Good evening, Batman! A table for two?" gravely replies, "Yes, thank you. But please, not too near the music -- I wouldn't want to appear conspicuous.""

Read the rest.

Zack Snyder on NPR

I was driving in my car yesterday, not really paying attention to the NPR story playing as it was about the Brett Favre soap opera. Then, all of a sudden I hear Zack Snyder's voice -- Zack Snyder, director of Watchmen and 300. Evidently he's a Wisconsin native and rabid Favre and Packers fan. Who knew? It just was one of those bizarre moments with two things you don't expect together -- Zack Snyder and All Things Considered?! LOL! (And yes, I do realize that I'm a total movie geek if I can recognize a director's voice from all the '300' interviews I watched and listened to.)

Zack compared Favre to the "reluctant gunslinger" on the quintessential hero's journey.

That's what it begs. It begs those moments behind the scenes where he's grappling with his own demons, and you see the man behind the mythology which makes it even more compelling.

Listen to the short piece here

DiCaprio may play Lenin

Leonardo DiCaprio is reportedly in talks to play Russian revolutionary Vladimir Lenin in a new movie.

The Titanic star is said to be in negotiations to take on the leading role in forthcoming film Lenin's Brain, according to British newspaper The Sun.

The picture will be directed by Russian moviemaker Alexander Der Borodyansky, who insists the actor is perfect for the part because of his striking physical resemblance to the communist politician, who died in 1924.

Obama Porn

As Andrew Sullivan points out, you know you want some.

Cool Cadbury Chocolate Ad

Hat tip: Andrew Sullivan

Memories of Siskel & Ebert

Roger Ebert has a new blog on the Chicago Sun-times website. He posted about his depression at the ending of an era, as he and Richard Roeper have left the Buena Vista produced show "At the Movies."

I was surprised how depressed I felt all day on July 21, when Richard and I announced we were leaving the "Ebert and Roeper" program. To be sure, our departures were voluntary. We hadn't been fired. And because of my health troubles, I hadn't appeared on the show for two years. But I advised on co-hosts, suggested movies, stayed in close communication with Don DuPree, our beloved producer-director. The show remained in my life. Now, after 33 years, it was gone--taken in a "new direction." And I was fully realizing what a large empty space it left behind.

Being a native Chicagoan, I remember the days when he and Gene Siskel started their show on the local PBS station. Roger has found some great outtakes of his days with Siskel on Youtube.

Did Gene and I hate each other? Yes. Did we love each other? Yes. Somehow an outtake from a promo session has found its way on YouTube, where in a single take you can see us bitterly sniping at one another and then happily joking together.

Graph of the Day - Elements of a Michael Bay Film

more graph humor and song chart memes

Two new pics from Australia

Yum!!

Richard Armitage interview

This one's for Amy!
Bits & Bobs, the EW Anglophile blog, has a very cool interview with Richard Armitage of BBC's Robin Hood, and now MI-5. He reveals that the character of Guy of Gisborne's sister will be joining Robin Hood, and there may be a flashback episode.

How do you feel about the fact that Guy is so evil, yet so beloved at the same time?
I think it could be the thing of loving to hate the bad guys. I suppose the difficulty with a character like this is that I feel sometimes that I've failed to alienate people enough and maybe I've let them into his psyche too much. But I had to try and find a way to forgive him for what he does. I think it stems from the fact that I made him have some kind of faith. It's a private faith. I liked the idea that there was somebody who could go out and slaughter people and then go home and say his prayers. Which perhaps gives him a glimmer of humanity or compassion. It's his failing in the show, but maybe that's what people feel gives him the potential to be redeemed.

See Bits & Bobs best of Richard Armitage with a list of great clips to watch HERE!