We all know that Angelina Jolie can kick a lot of ass. In case anyone’s unsure of her ability to carry an action film, I submit Tomb Raider, Gone in 60 Seconds, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Wanted — need I say more?

Yet it’s notable that she may be taking on yet another rough-and-tumble action flick. Variety reports that the stunning actress is close to a deal with Columbia Pictures to play a role previously intended for Tom Cruise in the film Edwin A. Salt. According to Variety, her character is “a CIA officer who's accused by a defector of being a Russian sleeper spy and must elude capture long enough to establish her innocence.” (Does this mean Angie will sport a hot Russian accent at some point?) There’s nothing about that role that sounds intrinsically male to me, but we all know how the movies work, and it’s quite notable that a studio has opted to go with a female actor to play a role originally written with a man in mind. … continue reading

The gorgeous Gretchen Mol has joined the cast of ABC’s Life On Mars, playing the lead female role of feminist cop Annie Norris. Mol, who wowed critics with her performance in The Notorious Life of Bettie Page, first made waves as a fashion model in the mid-1990s, but it was her goal to be an actress. In fact, Mol moved to New York after high school to study acting. (It’s hardly her fault a modeling scout took notice along the way, right?)

Mol is not alone — some of Hollywood’s most popular actresses were first noticed for their beauty, landing in the pages of fashion magazines before they made it to the silver screen. When you consider that Hollywood legends like Lauren Bacall and Marilyn Monroe modeled before they acted, you realize the model-turned-actress is practically a Tinsel Town tradition.

Of course, not all models belong on the silver screen. Mol and a handful of others, including Academy Award winners Charlize Theron and Halle Berry, always had acting as their goal; but take, for example, women like Cindy Crawford and Christie Brinkley. They've made it clear that acting requires much more than a pretty face. (To Brinkley’s credit, she never ventured beyond her esteemed work in the role of Red Ferarri Girl in the National Lampoon’s Vacation movies.) … continue reading

Among the fashionistas like Ivanka Trump and Carla Bruni-Sarzoky (the cover model), Vanity Fair has chosen a couple of worthy women for this year's "International Best-Dressed List." I'm not talking about the obvious choices like Sarah Jessica Parker and Angelia Jolie; I mean the androgynous ones who dare to wear pants, suits, and otherwise male-identified clothing and look better than both sexes at events and in the limelight.

Actress Tilda Swinton may have been chosen "because she's a great Scot," but I can think of more specific reasons to include her as a fabulous dresser. She stands out not only because of her striking eyes, cheekbones and bright red head of hair, but her style remains classic simple to compliment her natural features. She's not afraid to wear a gown, but she always looks dapper in a button-up blouse or blazer.

Writer Fran Lebowitz made the list for the second year in a row, this year as a "2008 Hall of Fame Inductee." Before I cover her fashion, I'd like to give her a virtual round of applause for not taking this list seriously at all. Each person chosen answered a survey of their favorite places to shop, etc. and Fran's answers are, well, not really answers such as "Residence: Yes. Age: Absolutely." My favorite, however, is her answer to "Favorite Vintage Store" in which she answers "The Strand bookstore," a well-known staple of New York City where they, indeed, sell only books. … continue reading

There are no new ideas. OK, fine — maybe there are one or two left floating around un-thought. But for the most part, your great idea has probably been thought up by someone else and theirs was probably greater. True in everyday life, incredibly true in Hollywood. So imagine my deja vu when looking thought new posters recently. Call me crazy, but I'm pretty sure I detect a theme.

First, there was the poster for the new Alan Ball-helmed vampire series True Blood. It's about vampires. The vampires are sexy. They drink human blood. You get the picture.

Then, I came across the poster for the new Diablo Cody-penned horror flick Jennifer's Body. It's about a demonic cheerleader. The cheerleader is sexy. She feeds off her classmates. You get the picture. … continue reading

Congratulations, Angelina Jolie! You've just added two bouncing bundles of joy to your ever-expanding litter family of youngsters. You're in a relationship with one of the sexist men alive. Your summer blockbuster Wanted has grossed nearly $200 million internationally. And, oh yeah, you're gorgeous. You must feel on top of the world right about now. So, naturally, I hesitate to bring this up. But I simply cannot ignore this any longer, I must know. Do the magazine editors of the world have some kind of grudge against you?

It's the only logical explanation for the monstrosity that is the new Vanity Fair Italy cover. Yowza. Your face looks like it was molded out of Silly Putty. And your skin looks like you rolled around in cocoa powder before arriving at the studio. Or, possibly, this is just your wax figure from Madame Tussauds sprayed with too much bronzer, in which case what a clever time-saving technique.

But I am afraid there is even more evidence to my grudge theory, namely the June 20 issue of Entertainment Weekly. I don't know how they did it, but the editors at EW managed to make me look at you and, for the first time, think “Wow, that nose!” instead of “Wow, those lips!” Vanity Fair Italy actually used EW's shots and just doctored them to be even less attractive. Nice trick, guys. … continue reading

Do you ever wonder what other people's to do lists look like? Take Angelina Jolie for example. Her list probably looks like this:

1) Continue search to find lipstick worthy of my lips
2) Press tour for Kung Fu Panda
3) Press tour for Wanted
4) Plan wedding to Brad now that gays can get married in California
5) Incubate Pitt-Jolie twins
6) Take care of four children
7) Practice martial arts for continued awesomeness
8) Debut three films at Cannes

And that's just on a Monday!

Last Friday, on World Refugee Day, The United Nations Refuge Agency aired a public service announcement recorded by Jolie. While images of displaced persons flashed on the screen, Jolie said, "They have survived war, they have survived displacement, they have survived rape, they have survived hunger and disease. For those who have survived and for those who did not, we are thinking of you on this day." … continue reading

We're halfway through summer movie season, and it is time once again to employ Lesbian Scientistics to determine which summer blockbuster star is the most kissable, and what exactly goes into lip appeal. (CAUTION: The findings below are fraught with SPOILERS.)

Step 1) Ask a question. Does a woman's bad-assness effect her kissability?

Step 2) Observe. I will profile each woman to garner an accurate portrait of her bad-assness, paying special attention to whose ass she kicks, what she kicks ass with, and what she wears to hand out said ass kickin'.

Anna Popplewell/Susan Pevensie, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

Enemies: Telemarines, the misogyny of C.S. Lewis.

Allies: 2 Sons of Adam, 1 Daughter of Eve.

Uniform: Chainmail, leather corset.

Weapons: See pie chart.

Sarah Jessica Parker/Carrie Bradshaw, The Sex and the City Movie

Enemies: Big, Mr.

Allies: Samantha, Miranda, Charlotte.

Uniform: Fraggle-fur shawl.

Weapons: See pie chart. … continue reading

Angelina Jolie is packing.

Heat, that is.

It is no secret that Angelina will be playing a fierce gun-slinging bombshell in the upcoming summer blockbuster Wanted, which opens June 27th. (If you missed it, the coverage of Wanted on AfterEllen.com is here. And here. Oh, and here as well. Like garlic, chocolate and vacation days, there is no such thing as too much Angelina.)

But what you may not know is that Angelina plays a fierce gun-slinging bombshell in real life as well.

Last week, Angelina told the Daily Mail that she has purchased authentic versions of the firearms portrayed in Tomb Raider and that such firearms are not intended to be wall decorations.

"I bought original, real guns of the type we used in Tomb Raider for security. Brad and I are not against having a gun in the house, and we do have one. And yes, I'd be able to use it if I had to. I could handle myself."

… continue reading

The Cannes Film Festival is finally over, after almost two weeks of movies and red carpet glamour. Since we can't see most of the movies in competition at the festival yet, I thought we'd take a look at some of the red carpet highlights. Whether in Armani, Chanel, Versace or Lacroix, you need to look couture fabulous if you want to be at the biggest film festival in Europe. Some can pull it off. Others, well, not so much.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt

I feel nothing I could say would do justice to Angelina: She's pregnant with twins and she still manages to walk down the red carpet looking absolutely beautiful. She attended the premieres of The Exchange and Kung Fu Panda, both movies she has roles in. And even though my immense amount of drool is distracting me, I can also see a very handsome Brad Pitt in a classy Tom Ford suit. Yep, they're a great couple. Their secret? Brad takes care of the kids while pregnant Angelina does Cannes in comfy Cole Haan shoes.

Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart

Yet another fabulous couple, Harrison Ford (so not looking 65) was in Cannes presenting Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull and he was accompanied by the elegant Calista Flockhart. I use the term "elegant" because her dress is indeed beautiful, but I wished there was more meat next to those bones. Calista, eat a cookie. Please. You're starting to look like Shane. … continue reading

Yes, summer doesn't officially begin until June 21, but the folks in Hollywood like to start things off early, so the summer blockbusters season is officially beginning. Last year, movies like Spider-Man 3, Shrek the Third, Transformers, Ocean's 13 (and many others) took a lot of people to the movies, with total ticket sales amounting to almost $10 billion. This year, the grand total may not be that much, but with a little help from the following movies, it's likely to come close.

Here are the blockbusters you should watch out for, starting this week:

Speed Racer (May 9)

The cartoon series Speed Racer was a very successful adaptation of a Japanese anime originally called Mach GoGoGo. Still, I wouldn't make a movie out of it, but the Wachowski brothers thought it was a good idea. I really liked watching the show when I was a kid (seriously, how gay am I?), so I'm curious as to how they're going to adapt it. I'm also curious to see Trixie (Speed's girlfriend), played by Christina Ricci. Go Speed Racer, go!

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (May 22)

Indiana Jones (and Harrison Ford) is finally back for the fourth film in the series. No, Indy doesn't have a cane yet, but we'll meet an older version of the character, obviously. However, the character I'm most looking forward to meeting (as are you, probably) is Agent Irina Spalko, the evildoer played by the lovely Cate Blanchett. Actually, she'll play a Soviet Union agent. How hot is that? Yeah, not much, I guess. But not so bad either, in a sexy dominatrix kind of way (see the pictures and you'll know what I mean.) They can certainly count on my 10 bucks! … 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

What do Will Smith, Meryl Streep, Gillian Anderson, Steve Carrell, Cate Blanchett, and the young girl from Akele and the Bee have in common? They're all starring in movies we want to see this summer. (Archeology! Singing! Football! Not all in the same movie, fortunately.)

In this episode of SMMWT!, Lori and I discuss which movies coming out this summer we really want to see — and which ones we definitely don't. (One word: Baghead. Yes, that's right, it's a movie about a guy wearing a paper bag over his head. 'Nuff said.)

As you can tell by my voice and vague resemblance to road kill, I'm still recovering from the cold I got at Dinah, so please bear with me if I seem a little low-key. I'll be back up to full-speed soon, so enjoy my slower pace while it lasts (I know Lori is!).

What summer movies are you most looking forward to? Chime in in the comments!

You know that saying you can pick your friends but not your family? Well, what's true for us common folk is true for those folks running for the highest office in the land, too. You see, even presidential candidates like Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama can't escape the curse/blessing of unexpected relatives.

Earlier this week the New England Historic Genealogical Society uncovered distant relatives for all the major presidential contenders. Turns out if you're a Democrat, no matter how you vote, you're voting for the Brangelina Ticket. Those clever genealogists discovered that Obama is related to Brad Pitt and Clinton to Angelina Jolie. Talk about your dream ticket.

On the other side of the aisle, turns out Republican nominee John McCain is related to First Lady Laura Bush. But, yawn, enough about that old codger. Let's act like all the major media outlets and obsess about Hillary and Barack some more. As luck would have it, Brangelina isn't the two Democratic hopefuls' only interesting familial bonds.

Let's start with the senator from Illinois. It was discovered earlier in the campaign that he was cousins with Vice President Dick Cheney, but it appears his roots stretch even higher into the executive branch, or should we say shrub. You see, Obama is related to both Cheney and President George W. Bush.

Poor Barack, he does not seem to be taking this news well. But then, would you? Also on Obama's distant relative list are presidents George H.W. Bush, Gerald Ford, Lyndon Johnson, Harry S. Truman and James Madison as well as British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill and Civil War General Robert E. Lee.

Over in Camp Clinton, they're singing a happier tune. Besides Angelina, Hillary is related to singers Madonna, Celine Dion and Alanis Morissette. You know, I can see the family resemblance -- these are all strong women who aren't afraid to speak their mind and know what to do with a microphone.

Heck, Hill and daughter Chelsea looks so tickled about this news, you'd think they just won the lottery or -- you know -- the presidency. But then, like I said, wouldn't you?

So, anyone you wish you were related to? Any surprises in your family tree? That is, other than your crazy uncle Wally. … continue reading