I think I'm still in writers' strike mode, because I am inordinately excited every time I hear about a new episode or a new show. Tonight brings the premiere of New Amsterdam, a Fox sci-fi/crime drama about an immortal cop. The cop is played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, about whom I have no opinion. Alexie Gilmore and Zuleikha Robinson co-star. They're hot.

Since the unsung Life is not likely to return, I have to get my cop fix somewhere, so I might give New Amsterdam a try.

Meanwhile, Christina Ricci and Dee Dee Myers stop by The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson. The former will discuss the widely panned Penelope, while the latter will promote her book Why Women Should Rule the World. Perfect for a big presidential Tuesday!

  … continue reading

That's the headline over at Eonline.com, anyway. We all know that Reese Witherspoon doesn't hesitate to speak up about women's issues from a feminist perspective, and this time she's addressing women's roles in Hollywood. She's been promoting her upcoming quirky little film called Penelope.

If you missed the 9 out of 10 movies that manage to pigeonhole talented actresses into tiny, underutilized roles or stereotypes, here's her take. Witherspoon wants a shot. At playing a badass with a gun, that is. And she's annoyed with shoot-'em-ups that feature some dude gunning down the baddies and saving the day. Or the woman, or the world, or any combination thereof. (I think I've seen the trailer for that movie under three different titles this week.) Her words:

"Why does the guy get to shoot him? I want the girl to shoot him! I love watching Angelina Jolie kick ass in Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and I can't wait to see her in Wanted. I would love to shoot someone. In the kneecap or something, just to stop them!"

Well. Hardly the words of a steel-nerved gunslinger. It's true she's no Angelina Jolie, but maybe I can see it. But even after gunning somebody down, you know Reese would end up looking more innocent and wholesome than before she drew the gun. Even leather chaps and a motorcycle helmet make her look petite. The stills from Penelope just make me want to pat her on the head. … continue reading

I'm once again brain-dead on a Monday, so I thought I'd post some pretty posters.

Get Smart (Anne Hathaway) — She gets smarter in every version of the poster.

The Forbidden Kingdom — A Jackie Chan movie, but I'll be focused on these two.

Jolene — No, it's not based on the Dolly Parton song, sadly. No matter how much the poster may seem to suggest that. … continue reading

Christina Ricci has done several odd little movies. It has made me wonder if her time as Wednesday Addams perhaps twisted her psyche. Or maybe it was her early exposure to Cher and Winona Ryder in Mermaids that gave her a warped view of the world.

It's not that I'm complaining. I happen to like the sometimes peculiar movie choices that accompany her apparently warped world view. I love that she's all over the map in what she does, from Monster to Speed Racer and The Opposite of Sex to Sleepy Hollow. She's the actress least likely to get sucked into a romantic comedy rut. Of course, that's not to say she can't do romantic comedy. In fact, she has. But, Christina Ricci being Christina Ricci, her romantic comedy choice isn't exactly what you would call typical.

Since 2006, a movie called Penelope has been making the festival rounds with little fanfare. The lack of attention is surprising, considering the cast includes not only Ricci, but also Catherine O'Hara, James McAvoy and Reese Witherspoon. … continue reading