I love rock 'n' roll

You know, I’m officially excited for this movie now. I was worried; I still have worries. But this first photo from “The Runaways” (formerly “Cherry Bomb”) is so fucking fierce that I don’t care. I just want to go to there. Immediately. It’s not necessarily the hot girls – though they are hot and, I might add, very much girls (Dakota is 15, FIFTEEN!) – but the rock and roll attitude. It oozes from that photo. It makes me want to pick up a guitar – or lick one. But most of all, it makes me want to revel in the awesome that is Joan Jett and Cherie Currie.

Holy shit, those girls were bad ass.

OK, now I’m worried again. How the fuck can Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning ever, ever, ever be that rock and roll? Answer: They can’t. But they sure might look good trying.

P.s. Good luck looking as good as Joan Jett when you’re 51, Kristen. I think that woman made her own Robert Johnson-like deal at the crossroads. She hasn’t aged a damn day. And, yes, Joan still gets more chicks than all of us. This is just a fact.

Baby, it's cold outside

Look, I know Tuesday is traditionally tank top day. But, dude, it’s winter. While it pains me to say this, it’s way too damn cold for tank tops. So instead today let’s celebrate the warm and snuggly. Cold weather clothes can be hot, too. Well, the people wearing them can be hot – and toasty. And just because you’ve got on mittens and scarves doesn’t mean you have to deprive the world of the really good stuff. To which I say, bless you, Lauren Graham.

Olivia WildeCourteney CoxKeri RussellSandra OhVirginia MadsenLena HeadeyAmy PoehlerAmerica FerreraTina FeyClea DuVallAnna Torv

Look at Anna, so cute and tiny in her gianormous jacket. Don’t you just want to take her home, sit her by the fire and serve her hot cocoa? Or, you know, yourself. Whatever is handy.

Time Streep

That Meryl Streep is a great actress is a given. That she is a great actress doing great work with even greater box office at age 60 is a gift. It’s not that women can’t be great into their sixties and beyond. Of course they can. It’s that Hollywood has a hard time acknowledging actresses once they enter their 40s. But there Meryl is, still playing the leading lady, still playing the love interest, still making us swoon. Her new Vanity Fair cover story celebrates her continuing success. We all know what makes her great – talent, humor, smarts and a refusal to futz with her face. But perhaps you didn’t know that she hates to have her picture taken. And photographer Brigitte Lacombe should know, she has photographed the actress over a span of 30 years. Wow, imagine having three decades of Meryl in your personal portfolio. Though, I guess with a face like hers, you could easily find 30 years worth of material – and then some.

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p.s. Wow, I would like just one decade where I look as amazing as Meryl, let alone three in a row.
p.p.s. Having said that, 1988 was an exceptionally lucky year.
p.p.p.s. I am totally going to go see “It’s Complicated” when I’m home for the holidays next week. Who’s with me?

My Weekend Crush

Before any gal raided any tomb. Before any gal cocked any shotgun with one arm. Before any gal killed Bill or Lycans or resident zombies, there was Ellen Ripley kicking serious alien ass in space. Sigourney Weaver is the original action heroine. All others that follow owe her a debt of gratitude and continued respect for the trail she blazed, flame thrower in hand, right down the middle of the macho male landscapes of action and adventure. We trusted Ripley, all razor cheekbones and determined jaw, to save us from fates worse than simple death. This year marks the 30th anniversary of that first “Alien” bursting though its first chest and straight into the pop culture vernacular.

While Sigourney made starred in four “Alien” films over the span of 18 years – which have gone on to gross more than $550 million worldwide – she never let those films alone define her. Instead she chose a career of variation with the one consistent being her striking ability to convey competence, strength and calm. In fact, I think the only thing she can’t play is a ditz (unless she is spoofing one à la “Galaxy Quest”). While it’s easy to linger on her dramatic roles – from “Gorillas in the Mist,” “The Ice Storm,” “The Year of Living Dangerously” – let’s not forget that she can be very, very funny. From Dana/Zuul in “Ghostbusters” to the corporate ice queen in “Working Girl” and the First Lady in “Dave,” Sigourney can deliver a one liner with pinpoint precision. (Oh, oh, and let’s also not forget the crazy adoption agency lady in “Baby Mama” and the ship’s computer in “WALL-E” either.)

Now, having just turned 60 this fall, Sigourney’s career comes full circle as she returns to space, this time in the enormous (big doesn’t cut it at $300 million and counting) budget film “Avatar.” Which seems only fair; talent like hers was made to share with the universe. Happy weekend, all.

p.s. That shot in “Alien Resurrection?” That was nothing but net.

Support Tibette

Those of good conscience already support Tibet. And now those of good conscience can also support Tibette. Sure, we support them already with our lustful stares and lascivious thoughts. But this is a more tangible and – let’s just say it – wholesome kind of support. The actresses who gave us Tibette – Jennifer Beals and Laurel Holloman – are both throwing their support, not to mention creative talents, behind worthy causes this holiday season. And we can help them through our purchases and donations. Also, it gives us another chance to ogle appreciate the women behind Tibette.

First Laurel is sponsoring an art auction featuring her own work along with sketches by TLW castmates and photos from a friend. Laurel is donating five of her paintings, friend Miki Turner is donating 12 of her photographs and Pam Grier and Rachel Shelley are donating a sketch each which they will personally sign to the winning bidder.

A look at Laurel’s work:

All proceeds going to the Maasai Conservation Wilderness Trust. Check out the auction website at mwctlaurelholloman.com. Bidding is now live on eBay. Bid here. (Auctions end Dec. 21.) Or to give directly, donate though Laurel’s fundraising page: firstgiving.com/laurelhollomannet1

Next it appears Jennifer has finished work on “The L Word Book.” The book is a behind-the-scenes look through Jennifer’s lens at the women who spend six seasons talking, laughing, loving, breathing, fighting, fucking, crying, drinking, riding, winning, losing, cheating, kissing, thinking and dreaming. (You didn’t think you’d get away with never hearing that monstrosity again, did you?)

Here is a sneak peek:

The proceeds of the book and prints will go to several different charities including the Matthew Shepard Foundation, Mia Kirshner’s I Live Here Foundation and The Pablove Foundation. The book’s website says it is coming out in December 2009, but considering we’re a third through the month it might be delayed. Check the official site for details at lwordbook.com.

See, doesn’t that make you feel all warm and fuzzy, and not for the normal reasons Tibette makes you feel warm and fuzzy? Though, Jennifer and Laurel, if you really want to raise some crazy cash for your respective charities I have a little suggestion: naked portraits of each other. Think of all the gay ladies clamoring to get their hands on those puppies. It would be the Tickle Me Elmo frenzy on steroids and there might even be some punches thrown. And, best of all, it’s alllll for charity. Brilliant, huh? No? Fine, your ideas are good too. I guess. (Kicks dirt.)

Now get busy buying and bidding, ladies.

SGALGG: Glee Edition

I know we’re all still doing a little Cheerio about the newest “Glee” couple Brittana, but that doesn’t mean we have to stop dreaming about other Gleeks hooking up behind the bleachers. In particular, New Directions’ resident polar opposites Rachel Berry and Quinn Fabray (or Faberry, as the shippers call them). While they haven’t given us much to go on in the show, their real-life counterparts Lea Michele and Dianna Agron have given us endless Straight Gals Acting Like Gay Gals* material. Those girls can’t keep their hands off each other. Heck, I don’t even have to resort to hyperbole. No embellish needed. The evidence speaks for itself.

Exhibit A
Exhibit B
Exhibit Get a Room Already
They celebrate together.
They share tasty beverages.
They can barely let go to sign autographs.
In this one Dianna wishes they were alone so she can…
In this one Lea wishes they were alone so she can…
In this one they’re apparently trying on wedding dresses in anticipation of the day gay marriage gets reinstated in California.
Oh, to be young, in love and on a hit TV show.
Now, seriously, get a room.
[Final young love montage courtesy rocketdyke!]

*While I have no evidence that Lea and Dianna are definitively the S of SGALGG, I also don’t have any proof the other way. But just in case either would like to refuse their inclusion in SGALGG, I’d happily turn it into GGALGG. I always strive for accuracy.