In real life, she's an actress, supermodel, fashion designer and singer. On screen, she's played Joan of Arc,

a genetically enhanced zombie-killer,

and a Fifth Element.

What challenge could there possibly be left to tackle? … continue reading

Gearing up for the summer action movies, Lori and I list our favorite female action heroes of all time, from Bridget Fonda in Point of No Return (1993) to Halle Berry in Die Another Day (2002) to Michelle Yeoh in three movies, including the upcoming Mummy one.

Along the way, we lament the lack of non-martial arts roles for Asian American actresses, debate whether Harry Potter's Hermione can properly be considered an "action hero," and argue over the value of women in Bond movies.

Plus: which female action heroes were the most groundbreaking? Check out our answers, and then let us know if you agree in the comments.

… continue reading

Ashanti graced the cover of Rolling Out last week, with an interview and pretty, pretty pictures.

On the heels of Resident Evil: Extinction and anticipating the release of her first new album in a couple of years, The Declaration, Ashanti sounds like she's just enjoying her current success. In the interview, she speaks to both projects. But first, let's take another look at her Nurse Betty.

… continue reading

Now that's what I call a quality caregiver.

With so many interesting new fall TV shows debuting now, Lori and I decided to structure our vlog a little differently moving forward. Rather than a lengthy review of each show, we're just going to hit the highlights of the week in TV and film, organized into the following categories:

Rapid-fire Reviews (kinda like The McLaughlin Report, but gay)
Gaying up Primetime (the best lesbian moment that wasn't)
Who thought that was a good idea? (the rant)
The Casting Couch (cool new film or TV casting news)
AfterEllen.com Soundbites (funny comments on the site about TV and film)
What to Watch (our pick of what's coming up on TV and at the theaters)

Among the TV topics we cover this week are the premieres of Top Model, K-Ville, and Survivor: China; our love of Bones; the revamped Bionic Woman pilot; and Gossip Girl's lesbian moment that wasn't.

We also discuss Zoe Saldana in the new Star Trek movie, what's wrong with the trailer for the upcoming movie The Kingdom, and why Lori plans to see Resident Evil: Extinction (opening this weekend).

… continue reading

Plus, a special appearance by Sydney Bristow, and Lori gets in trouble for revealing how much I like the cheesy ballet movie Center Stage (2000).

Life is not fair. And if you ever forget that, just take a look at Milla Jovovich and get a quick reminder.

Discovered for her striking looks at age 11, Jovovich embarked on a modeling career and has worn some of the world's best-known designers. But here's more of the unfairness: She's actually becoming better known for her own fashion designs, rather than just the way she wears others'. Her clothes have even been seen on quite a few Hollywood trendsetters. Now, in a move that makes you think, "No, she can't be beautiful and creative AND realistic and understand the budgets and shapes of most women — can she?" she has recently signed an agreement to design and produce a lower-price capsule line of clothes for Target stores. (Gosh, I'm hoping the red bullseye logo will not be on the back of each item. That would really limit how one accessorizes.)

Jovovich and business partner Carmen Hawk (also a model, also unfair) launched their small line of Jovovich-Hawk women's clothing in 2005 after working on designs as a hobby since 2003. Since then, the vintage style and look have captured not only the spirits of those who can afford the $400 items, but also the interest of other designers and those who follow the ins-and-outs of the fashion world. When reviewing the spring 2007 collection, Vogue magazine wrote that Jovovich and Hawk have in a very short time established "the kind of girl-about-town cult status that most designers spend years trying to achieve ... the label has the kind of superior in-crowd status that leaves regular, over-exposed It-girls far behind." Now that's a favorable review if I ever did read one. You can view Jovovich-Hawk's entire line here.

Jovovich seems really excited about the opportunity to bring her look to the masses: … continue reading

A while ago, I blogged about the poster and teaser trailer for Resident Evil: Extinction. I just watched the full theatrical trailer, and I have to say, this movie might kick zombie butt. Rather, Milla Jovovich might (let's just say "will"):

Having sweated through all of the Resident Evil video games, I'll admit I'm compelled by the idea of a biochemical weapon that turns people into zombies. The whole military-industrial complex angle always fascinated me. It seems particularly timely now, but maybe I'm just paranoid.

Anyway, never mind the social commentary: Look at all those zombies! … continue reading

I'm often underwhelmed when I read that a movie will be made about a historical female figure. Period movies about strong women who challenge the male hierarchy only to be demonized by contemporaries and historians (and sometimes real demons) are a genre unto themselves: Insert tragic historical female, grant her enough authority to hang herself, end with creative torture by the powers that be. It's not that I mind tragedies, it's that I've seen that movie a hundred times, just with different dresses. (Unless it's Cate Blanchett in The Golden Age. But then, Elizabeth I would not be subjugated by any man.)

Just last year, we had Marie Antoinette. Kirsten Dunst's version of the teenage bride is the definition of used and abused.

The Messenger (1999) gave us Joan of Arc. A girl with holy visions and military skills? Burn her at the stake. Not even Milla Jovovich's armor could save her. … continue reading

When I went to NewFest (New York's LGBT film fest) last month, one of the gayest things I saw was the Resident Evil: Extinction poster in the lobby. I mean, hello:

I'm not a big Milla Jovovich fan, and I don't even know if I'll see this movie — I'm still getting over the death of Michelle Rodriguez's character in the first Resident Evil flick. But I do enjoy the posters. Here's another, just released last week: … continue reading