Do you think you’re capable of playing sadness?

Now, here is a film with some overt lesbian context. Sadly, it’s overt content involving the murdered bisexual title character and another living bisexual femme fatale. But, hey, we’ll take whatever gay glimmers we can get.

The trailer for “The Black Dahlia” is up at Yahoo! Movies. It has a decidedly noir feel, which makes sense given the time period and subject matter. For those unfamiliar with the story, the Black Dahlia murder case caused a sensation in 40s Los Angeles. Aspiring actress Elizabeth Short (nicknamed The Black Dahlia after her death) was found murdered and mutilated in a vacant lot on Jan. 15, 1947. The crime remains unsolved to this day.

I’m having some trouble warming to Josh Hartnett as gumshoe narrator. His voice is so flat. Plus, he has always struck me as just another one of those good-looking, moderately-talented man-child actors. You know, pretty to look at but not much there. Still, I guess I should reserve judgment until I see the whole thing.

However, Hartnett is surrounded with a killer (no pun intended…ok, some pun intended) cast. Elizabeth - seen only in flashback, I believe - is played by our very own Jenny Schecter (or Mia Kirshner as she insists on being called in the real, non-L, world). Hartnett’s vampy sometimes lady-loving dame is played by Hilary Swank. Aaron Eckhart plays a LAPD sergeant with his own lovely lady friend, a glam Scarlett Johansson.

The trailer’s whiff of gay content involves Hilary purring to Hartnett: “Elizabeth and I made love once. I just did it to see what it would be like to be with someone who looked like me.” (Hey, Hilary, have you met Keira? She’s been asking herself that very same question…) Look for the film in theaters Sept. 15.

It's oh so quiet, and so peaceful until...

Damn. I just checked out the trailer for Jamie Babbit's sophomore release "The Quiet" and color me impressed. The out director behind the campy coming-of-age lesbian comedy "But I'm a Cheerleader" returns to the big screen with an intense, dark family drama. From the looks of things Babbit hasn't lost her knack for picking pretty casts. The film, slated for limited released in New York/Los Angeles starting Aug. 25, stars Camilla Belle ("When a Stranger Calls") and Elisha Cuthbert ("24").

Belle plays Dot, a deaf teen who is suddenly orphaned and sent to live with her godparents and their daughter Nina (Cuthbert). But all is not shiny or happy with her new family where dark secrets and darker desires lurk underneath. Nina is a popular cheerleader (Hey, Jamie, I sense a theme) with, shall we say, issues. The trailer shows no overt lesbian content, but there are a few splashes of subtext. (Nina's cheerleader friend asks her, "How do you know if you're a good kisser?" They then share a look that lasts a beat too long…) Plus, there is all that whispering Nina does in Dot's ear.

The Hollywood Reporter ran a full feature on Babbit and her new film today. Edie Falco and Martin Donovan also star as Nina's parents. Check out more on "The Quiet" here and here for trailers and other goodies. That's it. I'm sold. Bring on the popcorn.

8/4/06 UPDATE: Wow, I just found a ton of extras including interviews with Jamie, Elisha and more plus several exclusive clips from the movie over at iFilm. Check them all out here. Jamie does, however, quash our little gay hopes by saying outright, "This is not a gay movie." Oh well, we can always dream. Jamie also confirms my own first impressions of the film, namely its mix of "American Beauty" and "Heavenly Creatures."

They're cousins, identical cousins all the way...

Is it an act of extreme self-esteem hubris to date one's own clone? Keira Knightley is a lovely young lass. And talented to boot. But seeing her here, dressed strangely similarly to her doppelganger boyfriend Rupert Friend just amplifies the "I'm fucking myself" quotient of their relationship. I've heard about seeking a mother or father figure, but seeking out your own figure is just weird.

Ladies and gentlemen...rock and roll

I must say, this news kind of makes me feel old. MTV is 25 today. Pretty soon, the channel will be too old to fit in its own demographic. I know I am. I've long since abandoned MTV to its own worst devices. But I will say, back in the day I thought Music Television was the shit. I remember laboring over an impeccable MTV logo instead of paying attention in algebra. Ahhh, youth.

So "Happy Birthday" ya big galoot. Video really did kill the radio star. Though, I believe the Pussycat Dolls are a sign of devolution. And Paris Hilton is clearly a harbinger of the apocalypse.

You can watch MTV's first hour of broadcast, commercials and all, on the MTV website. I'm fairly certain this is the most exposure the Split Enz and Cliff Richard have received since, well, 1981.

Why is this man smiling?

As I watch the spectacle surrounding Mel Gibson's latest masterpiece,"When Movies Stars Go Wildly Anti-Semitic," I've noticed a disturbing trend coming from certain factions. Namely, the heavy blaming of the bottle and the heavier playing of the pity card. Something along the lines of, "Poor Mel. Isn't alcoholism terrible. Brave of him to seek help."

What? Hello? Is this thing on?

The man ranted to the deputy: "Fucking Jews...The Jews are responsible for all the wars on the world...Are you a Jew?"

The same man told Diane Sawyer two years ago that he was categorically not anti-Semitic and that "for me, it goes against the tenets of my faith to be racist in any form. To be anti-Semitic is a sin. To be anti-Semitic is to be un-Christian. And I'm not."

Sooooo, let me get this straight. You're not anti-Semitic, but the tequila you consumed was. Fucking tequila. It's probably Jewish!

His racist remarks were just the tip of the iceberg on Mr. Gibson's Wild Ride. He vowed to get revenge on the arresting officer saying he "owned" Malibu. He called a female officer "sugar tits." He even tried to pee on the jail floor.

What can I say, the man is pure class.

Mr. The Passion of the Christ issued an apology over the weekend saying that he "acted like a person completely out of control" and said things that he did not "believe to be true and which are despicable" because of his "disease of alcoholism." On Monday, the obligatory statement was issued that he had checked into rehab.

You know what, Mel is right. Alcoholism is a terrible disease. But it's one that can be treated and controlled. Ignorance and hatred, those are even more insidious and the recidivism rate is killer.

UPDATE: Looks like Mel has gone mea culpa crazy. Here is his second, more contrite, more directly apologetic statement where he reaches out to the Jewish community. He is "not a bigot" and he wants to meet one-on-one with Jewish leaders to discuss the "path for healing." My thoughts? Oy vey.

Oh, to be Eric Bana...

I'm not sure how I missed this news earlier, but it appears Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson will join forces to make your cinematic experience that much more beautiful. The two young, talented and smoking hot stars have signed to play sisters in the period piece, "The Other Boleyn Girl." They will portray the rival Boleyn sisters, Anne and Mary, who vie for the affections of King Henry VIII's (played by Bana, lucky bastard). With the benefit of history, we now know that Henry is not the best guy for a gal to, you know, lose her head about. Look for the film in theaters next year and dream about this exquisite pairing until then.

When Hypocrites Attack Part II

More Godless actions from the supposedly God-fearing. Mel Gibson, Mr. The Passion of the Christ himself, was arrested Friday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence in Malibu. When stopped, reports have alleged that he started spewing obscenities and anti-Semitic remarks. Sigh.

All that blather from him about his great true faith. All his finger-pointing at those without. Guess it's easy to lose your religion in the bottom of a bottle.

I think Mel Gibson has a great cinematic eye. You cannot deny his abilities in "Braveheart." But the hypocrisy of people like him drives me crazy.

Devil in a black dress

Ann Coulter is truly evil. Every time I see her on some show I want to hurl heavy objects at my television. And the worst part is that she seemingly never has to pay for the outrageous, hate-filled things she says.

I mean, this bottle-blond media whore is shameless. She will stoop so low as to attack the 9/11 widows, women whose husbands died in the terrorist attacks on our country. And I quote:

"These broads are millionaires, linked on TV and in articles about them, reveling in their status as celebrities and stalked by grievers. I have never seen people enjoying their husbands' death so much."

Today, on Hardball, she continued her line of attack on President Clinton and his supposed latent homosexuality. And then she called Al Gore a fag. No, seriously. You can watch it here (click on part 3). When Chris Matthews asked her is she really thought Bill Clinton was gay she said, and I quote:

"He may not be gay. But Al Gore, total fag."

She followed that up with a cackle and a "No, just kidding." Why is it always the ones who shout the loudest about their love of God who are really the most Godless?

What a great day to be gay

So, this is yesterday's new, but it's worth commenting on because I think it represents a good step forward for the glbt community. The more our celebrities come out, the less alone a teenage girl growing up in Kansas or a young man living in Georgia feels.

Lance told People:

"The thing is, I’m not ashamed – that’s the one thing I want to say. I don't think it's wrong, I'm not devastated going through this. I'm more liberated and happy than I’ve been my whole life. I'm just happy"

Good for him. I still think 'N Sync sucks. But I like Lance just a little bit more now. Oh, and I told you so.

Little Folksinger making a little one

Years ago, self-described Little Folksinger Ani DiFranco famously wrote a letter to the editor of Ms. magazine saying that she hoped her gravestone would read: "songwriter, musicmaker, storyteller, freak." Well, looks like she is going to have to add "mother" to that esteemed list.
Ani announced that she is expecting a little one February 2007, while accepting an award from the National Organization of Women this month. The father is music producer Mike Napolitano, who worked with Ani on her upcoming album "Reprieve."
Congratulations. Let's see how motherhood affects Ani's already deeply personal and penetrating lyrics.
"To split yourself in two, Is just the most radical thing you can do. - Ani DiFranco "Reprieve"

Color me Buffy

Buffy the Vampire Slayer may have dusted her last vampire in the live-action world, but she lives on to slay another day in the world of comics. Show creator Joss Whedon will continue the TV saga where it left off in a new Buffy the Vampire Slayer comic series. The continuing adventure of our favorite slayer will be published by Dark Horse Comics. The cover art will be officially unveiled this week at Comic-Con. Joss has said that the action will pick up where the finale ended, after Buffy and the Scooby Gang helped create a whole army of slayers to defeat the First. Can I get a "Hell(mouth), yeah!" I love comics, but I never really buy them. This time, I think I might make an exception. Check out the cover art by Georges Jeanty Jo Chen. Girl's been working out.

I'll tumble for ya, I'll tumble for ya

Oh. My God. This video made me laugh so hard this morning my coworkers looked at me funny from across the cubicles. Amy Sedaris was on The Colbert Report Monday and the interview seemed to be going along at a moderately amusing pace until the last two minutes. Wait for it. You'll thank me later.

Natalie Portman naked...Got your attention?

Looks like our favorite gamine of the moment Natalie Portman will finally shed the last bits of her inhibition, as well as her clothes, and go nude in her new movie "Goya's Ghost." Just when I've reassembled my head from it big Salma-Penelope sandwich explosion incident. Read about it in Page Six, or just dream about it for the rest of the day.

7/12/06 UPDATE: Well, boo. Turns out the nudeness will be accomplished with a body double. And, it's a nude torture scene. Geez, what the hell kind of movie is she shooting?

Guess who's back? Back again. Marina's back

Pity poor Jenny. Just when she was extracting herself from one terrible relationship (Mad Max and the Thunderdome of Tedium) comes news today that her No. 1 tormenter/seducer Marina will return to The L Word for season four.
This after show producers swore up and down that Marina was gone. Period. Nevermore. Oh well, better late than never.
In other L Word news, future guestbian and Bette love interest Marlee Matlin told the LA Daily News that she is nervous about joining the cast (new kid in school syndrome). Perhaps most interesting in the short bit, Jimmy Smits hearts the L Word. I bet you do, Jimmy. I bet you do.

Brokeback for lesbians...well, wishful thinking

Oh. My. That loud splat you heard was my head exploding. Pay it no mind. I'm sure it will grow back. I just saw these promo picture from the new film "Bandidas." Salma Hayek. Penelope Cruz. Enough said. It's hard to tell whether the film will be any good based on the trailer. Looks like it is supposed to be a comedic "Bad Girls" of sorts. But, oh, the lovely Spanish-languaged eye candy. Muy caliente.

Gays love a parade

L Word goddess Jennifer Beals came, saw and waved to all the hundreds of thousands of queers (plus the merely curious and possibly lost) folks gathered to celebrate San Francisco Gay Pride 2006. Though, possibly more fun than seeing Jennifer ride in an open convertible was seeing the brawny men in suits (out of picture) surrounding her car and keeping the rabid dykes away. Though, as far as I could tell, their services weren't needed...we behaved.

Another "star" sighting this pride -- former N'Syncer Lance Bass walking out of a Castro restaurant. Hmmmm. Very interesting, considering his "rumored" boyfriend Reichen Lehmkuhl was another celebrity guest in the parade. Lance, with a male companion, was spotted during the early part of the parade, wearing a green cap and trying to look incognito. No word on whether he made it down to Market Street to catch his fella waving to the crowd. Here's a hint, Lance, if you insist on keeping the closet door shut, perhaps best not to be on seen in the queerest city in America on its queerest street during its queerest weekend of the year. Just a suggestion.

It has reached epidemic proportions...

Yeah...so I really, really, really do not understand the bandana thing. But I am greatly concerned that the sickness is spreading. First Kanye. Now Justin. Seriously, Timberlake, are you a nattily dressed bank robber or just a fey germaphobe? Either way, it's a bad look. Very bad indeed.

Joss Whedon, Will You Marry Me?

Just in case you had any doubt, Joss Whedon is the coolest man on the face of the planet. Here he is receiving an award from the feminist group Equality Now, with his trademark wit and passion on display.

"Equality is not a concept, it is not something we should be striving for. It is a necessity. Equality is like gravity. We need it to stand on this earth as men and women."

Go rent Buffy the Vampire Slayer now. You can thank me later.

Add Grand Marshal to Alpha Bette's Credentials

Jennifer Beals will grace the streets of San Francisco with her presence as Grand Marshal of the Gay Pride Parade this weekend. In an attempt not to drool on my keyboard, I will hold off from commenting on this topic until I can reform words. I just want to look at the pretty picture...

The Evolution of Ashlee

What the hell is up with Ashlee Simpson? It's like she's the star of her own secret reality series, called "Becoming...Jessica Simpson." I mean it, check out the photographic evidence. It's actually kind of sad. Now she looks like everyone else. Behold:

circa 2004

circa 2005

today