Girl Meets Lightsaber

My first comic! (I'm aware that sounds like a children's book.)

2012-01-19T15:46:00.000-08:00

Elisa Feliz's wonderful pinup for my "Archetypes: A Christmas Crime" short story.

As you may have seen in my earlier post about Womanthology, I'm now officially a comic book author. In case you're wondering, I am indeed doing an embarrassing happy dance right now. It's best that you don't see it.

I did two pieces. One of them, "Ladybird" was co-written with the wonderful Rachel Pandich with art by the amazing, Eisner-award-winning artist, Janet Lee (Return of the Dapper Men). It's based on the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire and I'm incredibly proud of it. Check out my video interview with Janet at NYCC for Newsarama to see some of the art.

Me at the Comikaze Expo "Womanthology" panel in front of Janet Lee's art for "Ladybird."
The second one (which I actually wrote first) is "Archetypes," with art by the fantastic Elisa Feliz. That one is about a woman who dreams in archetypes and solves crimes. Weirdly enough, I wrote it on a plane back from New Orleans. Neither of these are exactly what you'd call "fluffy, happy" stories. In fact, when I was lucky enough to get comic legend Jim Lee to critique them, he said, "Wow, you're really dark!"

Me at the Comikaze Expo "Womanthology" panel in front of Elisa Feliz's art for "Archetypes."

Anyway, we were recently asked to contribute a holiday piece based on our work for Womanthology supporters. Now that we're allowed to share it with everyone, here is mine. This one is a short story based on "Archetypes." Elisa Feliz did the pinup above to go with it. Give it a read and let me know what you think!
Stay tuned for information about "Womanthology" signings at Emerald Knights, Meltdown and others, and pre-order your copy here. xoxo

"Archetypes: A Christmas Crime"

The white trim on his suit glowed in the black light. Wait, that seemed odd. What would Santa be doing in a club? Well, it was Los Angeles. The Beverly Hills mall had a shirtless “Hunky Santa” every year, so I guess it's not that weird. Right, back to the dream. As he moved through the throbbing, surging crowd of dancers, the pack on his back seemed to be weighing him down. Scene change. A sneering Santa moving around a Christmas tree. He laid down his empty sack in front of the fireplace and eased himself down on the couch to eat the cookies that were left out for him. Empty sack, huh? Oh god...

Suddenly, it was like someone was ringing the damn jingle bells from his sleigh in her ear. Stupid phone.

“Hello? This had better be good, Prince Charming. I was dreaming.”

“Ha! I knew you still dreamed about me as the Prince.”

“Oh shut up. You're married now and I have a crime to report. I think.”

She turned to look at the picture of him next to her bed. You don't dream about Prince archetypes very often. Stupid her for letting this one go. She didn't know how this whole dreaming thing worked back then, but you'd think she would have been smart enough to hold onto him.

“Alright cop. Here's the deal. I dreamed about Santa...”

He snorted. “Really? But he's...

“I know. He's not an archetype. But he is a symbol. I guess it makes sense. I don't know. This stupid gift didn't come with instructions. Also, if this particular Santa shows up in my house, I'm converting.”

She heard laughter on the other line. “From what to what, pretty lady?”

He loved teasing her. Princes might be good guys and end up as cops, but they certainly mess with your head. “Couldn't tell what he had in his sack, but it was heavy. He moved through a club with it, then ended up in a house in front of a fire with an empty one.”

“So what am I looking for here? A guy in a Santa suit who likes dance music, cookies and milk?”

She sighed. “The Santa symbol means comfort. Presents. Once a year...they leave things at your house...hmm. Any reports of a missing person?”

“If this is the usual scenario, we'll get one tomorrow. Grandpa got drunk and kidnapped his grandson. Someone killed someone else and dumped them in the chimney. Definitely someone close to them or they wouldn't have let them in. I suppose it's too easy to assume this is a mall Santa?” he said.

“Yeah, well, it's rarely that literal. Good luck with that though.”

“Listen, what are you doing for Christmas? Come have dinner with my wife and I. I can't stand the idea of you being alone.”

Her heart skipped. She was never going to tell him his wife was the Evil Queen. Sure, she knew exactly what that woman had done to take her Prince away, but he was happy. He might be a flirt, but you could see the love in his eyes when he spoke about her. She'd let him have that a little longer.

“I have plans.” She didn't. “Have a Merry Christmas though. Goodnight Prince Charming.” She hung up and rolled back up in her blanket. Yeah, let him have a few more weeks of peace. Something big was coming. She felt a dream coming on...

RIP Anne McCaffery, the single biggest artistic influence on my life

2011-11-22T14:52:00.000-08:00

I really didn't expect to be writing another sad post after the last one, since things have been pretty darn wonderful lately. So I refuse to make this weepy.

I just heard on Twitter that author Anne McCaffery passed away. It was like a punch in the gut. I mean, hardly unexpected since she was 85 years old, but still hard to hear.

I've read every book she's ever written. In fact, her book "Dragonsong" was the first fantasy novel I ever read. I actually remember getting it for Christmas from my mom. I unwrapped the package, and there was Menolly, surrounded by fire lizards on the cover. Tiny dragons! I'd never seen anything like it before!

I was a book fiend as a kid. I learned to read early and I spent so much time at the library that the librarians all knew my name and had a suggestion list for me when I got to the counter. They'd laugh, watching me attempt to carry home a stack of books half my height, knowing I'd be back in a few days for more.

But dragons? I hadn't really encountered them yet. When I cracked open the book, I was immediately hooked. Menolly sang. She loved music. She'd do anything to get to do it for a living. She went to a school that taught it! I didn't even know that was possible! She was brave and talented and she "impressed" a slew of fire lizards. I still have that book. At the beginning of one chapter, I wrote, "I wish I was her," in pencil. Considering I ended up going to Syracuse University for musical theater and sang for many years (if you're good, I'll show you my goofy acting reel which has me singing "Evita" and doing a short film of "Star Wars" done by pirates), and then ended up as a writer, you can see what this book did to me.

I went on to read every one of her books. Strong, powerful women were all over the place in a time when that wasn't really the trend in fantasy. I read many of those books before I really knew what the sex scenes were about! I was definitely too young to read "Dragonflight," but one thing did stand out. Lessa.

This lady was tough. She survived anything. No one gave her shit. I knew when I read it that this was the woman I wanted to be. (Which may explain all the weaponry in my house.) I wanted to walk into a room and have people know I was there. It changed the direction of a very shy little girl's life.

So did "Crystal Singer." Another tough lady, who after her singing career comes to an end, goes on to do something even better. When I decided to stop my theater career, I re-read this book, looked at the wider world and marched proudly onto the next thing, just like Killashandra.

Anne's work was directly responsible for my career choices, how I developed my personality, my love of dragons and space ships and so many other things. Reading about how she broke into what was mostly a male dominated genre influenced me in so many ways, they're beyond counting.

Anne McCaffery was the single biggest artistic influence in my life. Though her passing is sad, I'm about to celebrate her life by pouring one out and re-reading (for the zillionth time) "Dragonsong." Rest in peace, Dragonlady.

A different sort of memorial...

2011-09-11T10:44:00.000-07:00

If you've been following my blog for a while, you probably read my post about where I was on September 11th. I wrote it last year and it tells the story pretty well. At the time, I wasn't sure why I was doing that particular post on the 9th anniversary. I feel like I should have waited. Now I know why I didn't.

It's the tenth anniversary of the tragedy today. Every minute of that day is still painful to think about. The worst part of it all was that I had no idea where my then boyfriend was and I thought he was working near the Empire State Building that day. I couldn't find him for hours. My boss at the time, who was only a few years older than me lost her husband in the second tower. The sadness of that still lingers.

I imagined I'd be watching the 9/11 specials and tributes and crying with memories this Sunday. But I can't. Because 8 years ago today I was standing in front of a justice of the peace in a little town in Scotland with that same man, getting married. Just the legal ceremony. The big to-do in a castle with a kilt and bag pipes and a priestess was all the next day. I didn't even dress up for the legal part. But I had no idea how emotional we would all get. Even the sweet old lady reading the vows choked up and had tears in her eyes. So did he.

On the tenth anniversary of 9/11, I'm sitting with divorce papers on my desk. This was not of my choosing. Not at all...that is a story for another day. So as my heart is breaking into a million shards of broken glass, I can't watch anything about the towers or the aftermath or the terror threats. I can't watch the memorials because I'm having one of my own over the end of a 15 year relationship with the love of my life.

That said, I have a lot to be thankful for today. I've recently learned what wonderful, supportive friends and family I have. They say you never really know someone until you go through a tragedy with them. Well, now I've gone through two. If I'd been posting about 9/11 alone, I'd tell you to go home, hug your loved ones and be thankful for what you have. Posting now, with these papers on my desk, the sight of which make my hands shake and my heart drop to the floor, knowing I've probably seen someone I love more than anything in the world for the last time makes me want to scream it from the roof tops. Treasure every moment. You never know when it will be the last.

Peace to us all.

Womanthology and my comic book debut

2011-07-07T18:26:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: We did it! We hit our goal in less than 15 hours! Let's keep going! Here is what happens if we raise more:

What will you do if you make OVER your goal?

The current Kickstarter goal amount would help us print a small run (1500) of books. This will be 300 page, 9x12, Hardcover, full color book. All money earned goes directly to printing costs and other fees such as postage of the book to all of you fine people! :)
Our current goal is 25,000. If we, by some miracle, make OVER that goal, here is what we will do;
- Up to 50,000 will mean MORE books printed. Every book printed and sold earns even more for our Charities :) We may even be able to afford a special Womanthology table at a big upcoming con!
- 50,000 - 70,000 I will put to funding the printing of ANOTHER Charity book that will bring more opportunity to creators that just need that chance! Not just women this time! :)
- Over 70,000 .... if there was a miracle in the universe that would allow us to earn more, my ultimate goal would be an expanded version of what this book is about. To create an organization the supports new creators and their creator owned comics, helps fund them to complete their works, and get them out to major publishers for their chance to shine. The comics industry NEEDS this right now! This would really be a great way to support comics, and help move the industry an all the fantastic creators in it, to brighter, more awesome future!

I am about to write my very first comic! I'm not sure I've ever been this excited! It's all part of Womanthology, an upcoming anthology featuring the work of women in the industry...just women! And damn there are some great ones! Contributors include:

Gail Simone ( DC writer, Wonder Woman, Birds of Prey, Secret Six)
Annie Nocenti ( Marvel writer, Dardevil, Editor for Uncanny X-Men, New Mutants)
Ming Doyle ( Boom, Image, Marvel artist)
Devin Grayson (DC writer; Batman, Nightwing, New Titans)
Lauren Montgomery (Director & Storyboard Artist - Justice League, DC)
Fiona Staples (DC, Wildstorm, IDW , Vertigo artist)
June Brigman (Creator; Brenda Starr, Power Pack)
Samantha Newark (Voice of JEM, Singer/Vocals - God of War, Hook)
Bonnie Burton( Grrl.com)

I've mentioned the wonderful Bonnie Burton before. Check out our interview about her wonderful Star Wars Craft Book here. Also, Samantha Newark doesn't know this, but I was just interviewed for the upcoming JEM DVD collection. Showtime Synergy!

I'm honored to be working with artist Elisa Feliz, who's work you can check out here. No hints on the story yet, but I'm really excited about it!

So here is why I'm writing. We need to raise money to get this thing published. (IDW is doing it for us if we can get the funds.) Do me a favor and check out the video and the website for the Womanthology Kickstarter Project. You can donate as little as a dollar, but there are some really cool rewards for donating more. REALLY cool ones! All the info is in the site so take a look!

Also...and this is a thing that's very close to my heart...you're helping inspire young women to pick up a pencil and draw, or write a script for or at the very least read comics. I'll wear my cape in your name.

Lara Croft's Boobs

2011-06-10T15:27:00.000-07:00

Here we go again! First it's boob gate (thanks to the very awesome Blair Butler for coming up with the term), now we have Lara Croft's mammeries to argue about. The most famous pair of video game breasts this side of Soul Calibur's Ivy are getting a reduction and it's caused quite a few arguments to start on the interwebs. I hit the floor of E3 this week and got a behind-closed-doors look at the upcoming reboot of Tomb Raider. You can read my preview here on Coming Soon for info on game play and why it seems weirdly masochistic, but today I'm talking about boobs.

Maybe she uses super glue?

Lara Croft looks very different this time around. Certainly more realistic. Her chest has gone from one that made her look like she would face plant if she stood on her toes to a large B/small C. Some have argued that this is a non-issue, but the truth is, the game has been famous for more than just it's action. There have been nude hacks, posters, fan clubs...even Angelina Jolie had them enhanced (not surgically...don't sue me) for the films. Her breasts are a signature part of the character and there is no way this wasn't going to be noticed.

Let me be clear here. I don't care how big or small her chest is. I mentioned it on Twitter and Facebook last night and the discussion was intense. Friendly and intense...I'm not trying to start a war here or imply in any way that there ever was one. I was just really surprised at how many people felt that I should be thrilled by the change. So many, in fact, that I thought I'd share my feelings about it all here.

The new, less busty Lara Croft.

I have many issues with the way women have been portrayed in film and television. It's changing, of course, but there is a long way to go. I've also had issues with stupid/weak women in video games. There is no way in hell that you could ever call Lara stupid or weak. This goes back to the discussion about sexuality and geek women, and whether or not we need to neuter ourselves to be taken seriously. As the very awesome Jane Espenson told me in our interview for Huffington Post, "I like to think of sci fi fans as people who genuinely embrace the idea of infinite diversity in infinite combination. Diversity includes the sexy. It just does. There's no way around that. We are simply going to have to embrace the sexy." Nothing wrong with being sexy AND kick ass. And nothing about being sexy takes away from what you can do with your brain or your sword.

The incredibly talented Jane Espenson.

All I care about is game play. I don't care if Ivy's boobs are the size of pumpkins and there is no way they could stay in that strip of tooth floss. That's the unrealistic style of Soul Calibur. I don't think Siegfried could hold a sword that size either.

That's some sword you've got there, Siegfried! Ahem.

I do not ask for realism in video games. I ask for art design. I ask for fun. I ask for object permanence so my feet don't go through the stairs instead of standing on them and my arms don't poke through walls. I ask for fewer fire bats. I ask for kick ass characters. I laughed my ass off when someone told me on Twitter that it was unacceptable that her breasts were so unrealistic. Realistic? Oh, because it's totally realistic to have magic, or carry 50 items (including armor) in an invisible backpack, or to find treasure chests in every household, or to die and respawn or find giant spinning coins lying all over the world. Hedgehogs do not skateboard. Girls in bikinis do not play sexy games on a private island that only you have been invited to. Zombies are not running around, waiting to be taken down. (Well, not yet. I'm prepared for the zombie apocalypse, just in case.) Why the hell should I care if a character has large, unrealistic boobs? I'm not looking to video games to tell me how I should look. And if some guy won't date you because you don't look like Lara Croft...run from him. Hell, he's probably not out of his basement anyway.

I hope there's a pony inside!

Anyway, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Pontificate below and happy gaming.

Geek and Gamer Girls, We're Unbelievable!

2011-05-17T13:10:00.000-07:00

Geek girls have been all over the news lately, from Boobgate to little Katie Goldman who was teased for liking Star Wars (and the unbelievable outpouring of support from geek girls all over the world) to why some people think Game of Thrones is for guys, to whether or not celebrity women are pandering to geeks. I've talked about it. I've discussed it on Twitter and ComiCenter. I just chatted about it with my very good friend and honorary geek chick George Roush and new buddy Jennifer Landa on My Geek Lady. (Check out the show below.) But I thought it was time to put my feelings down, if not on paper, than on the web.

Watch live video from GeekWeek on Justin.tv
I think it's easy to dismiss us because the prevailing feeling out there is that being a female geek is still an unusual thing. I still have men look at me in shock when I tell them I play World of Warcraft (to be fair, I might be mistaking that for what is really shock that I leave the house and play World of Warcraft). Not so very long ago, I told the producers of a show on a major gaming network that I love video games and comic books and they called me a unicorn. Rare, they explained, because I don't look like a troll and I know what a drow is. This from a network that regularly hires geek women.

If you're reading this, you probably know what a drow is too.

Now, I don't say this to slam them. Not at all. Our culture tells us that women who aren't ugly shouldn't have deep interests of any sort. Yes, my friends, I am prepared for the shit storm that sentence is going to cause. But look at which geek girls are being targeted as panderers and betrayers of their sex. There are posts about how women who cosplay as Slave Leia or characters with any sort of sex appeal shouldn't be taken seriously. (Read Bonnie Burton's fantastic post on SFX about this.) There are posts about how hot, famous chicks couldn't possibly be into geek stuff. They're just talking about it to get guys to think they're cool. (Oh my, how the worm has turned.)

As Bonnie Burton said, Slave Leia strangled Jabba all by herself...in a metal bikini. Hardly a weak woman.

Now, this reminds me of a few of my feminist friends...and yes, I proudly identify myself as a feminist...back in college who told me I couldn't be a feminist and wear makeup/be a makeup artist/do my hair/care about my appearance, etc. As though being attractive disqualifies you from being smart or caring about anything. Of cooourse. Attractive women don't have to have interests. People give them things as soon as they bat their painted lashes. Interests and hobbies are for people who don't have social lives or mascara, and have to occupy their hours with comic books because no one will talk to them. Apparently you don't count as a feminist/geek if you fall into that category.

It's not a stereotype that will disappear any time soon. And it does exist for a reason. I'm not saying no one out there has ever pandered or used liking something to look cool/get guys/land jobs. But I'm sorry, I can decorate my face and still want equal pay for equal work. I can talk about having boobs (I'm sure you read the post where amazing blogger Jill Pantozzi was called out for naming her blog Has Boobs, Reads Comics) and dress in sexy costumes and still be able to talk about comics and video games with conviction.

So where does that leave us? Well, there is very little we can do about the guys and what they say or think, other than to continue to have the conversation. But there is something we can do about our own community from the inside. We can support each other. We don't need to be tearing each other apart from within. Calling each other out for names of blogs and threatening to punch a fellow geek in ''her stupid boobs'' is not helping. Telling someone that the way I'm a geek is far more legitimate than the way you're a geek isn't either.

Something that I mentioned on the ComiCenter podcast is the difference between geeks. There are the exclusionary geeks who say, ''I know this really cool thing about Batman and you're an idiot because you don't,'' and the more welcoming sort who say, ''I know this really cool thing about Batman. Do you want to know too? That way we can geek out together.'' I'm hoping we're moving towards the second sort. Maybe we stop judging those who might have just entered the world of comics because of Iron Man or Thor, or just read Watchmen for the first time. They can be just as excited as those who read it years ago. Or those who didn't start playing video games with Pong. Are they less legit because they're new? Do you remember the first time you read The Lord of the Rings? The wonder you felt? It is possible to feel the same thing, even if you only read it after the trilogy came out.

Me in the Owl Ship. I like it more than my Honda.

So this is what we do. We support all types of geeks. We welcome new ones to our ranks. We stay vocal about what we love and support films/TV shows/blogs that reflect our interests. And we geek out in any way we want, whether that means auditioning for geek shows, playing with plastic lightsabers, tattooing our arms with geek symbols, posting in the Facebook group the League of Extraordinary Ladies, dressing up as either Slave Leia or Senator Leia and not judging either way, using our extensive knowledge of Middle Earth to impress a guy (no, that does NOT make you less legitimate), carrying our dogeared copies of Dragonsong proudly on the subway, tweeting the Daffy Duck version of the Green Lantern oath...be proud and loud about your geekiness, ladies. We are everywhere.

''In Blackest Day or Brightest Night...um, watermelon, cantalope, yada yada...a superstitious and cowardly lot...with liberty and justice for all!''

New Blog!!!!

2011-03-01T16:55:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to let you know that I started a new blog called "Did You See That Stupid Commerical?" As I told a friend of mine, it was either that or throw a shoe at my television.

So far I've taken on the stupid "Ankle Show" Old Navy commercials, talking cereal and the dual bathtubs in the Cialis ads.

Take a look by clicking HERE and let me know what you think. If you like it, please subscribe. And feel free to leave ideas for commercials you'd like me to take on. I can promise only one thing. I won't be kind.

XO Jenna

TV Guilty Pleasures

2011-02-26T22:30:00.000-08:00

My name is Jenna and I watch some weird-ass television. I blame it on those dangerous holiday marathons. I work at home a lot, you know. I sit in my pj's with a glass of wine, banging away on the keys and in the background is whatever marathon they have playing.

I have been known to watch soap operas. Don't judge.

Last year, Deadliest Catch sucked me in. I'm a vegetarian for frak's sake! How can I spend hours on end watching unwashed men scream at each other while catching pounds of crabs?

R.I.P. Captain Phil. Sniff.

This Halloween it was Ghost Adventures. I've said it before, but I got to go hunting with the Ghost Hunters at the Stanley Hotel (yeah, that's the Shining hotel and creepy as hell) in a group with Amanda Tapping. I've been unable to resist ghost hunting shows ever since. I started watching because lead investigator Zak Bagans looks like a good buddy of mine. (Fellow journos, you KNOW who I'm talking about.) Now I can't stop.

I'm going to jump on the band wagon and tease him about the incubus/succubus thing. See? If you watched, you'd know what I mean by that!

Spartacus: Blood and Sand and it's prequel Spartacus: Gods of the Arena may be soft core porn, but it's gladiators, ancient Rome and Lucy Lawless. It's unapologetic and violent and I love every dirty, salacious minute of it. Come on, it's boobs, blood and ancient fluffers! Also, I want to create a drinking game based on the number of times they say "absent."

Oh Andy. Get well soon!

Since I'm avoiding work tonight by watching Zak tell spirits who their daddy is, I got to thinking about guilty TV pleasures. You know, those shows you're embarrassed to tell people you love. The ones that make them sneer at you and roll their eyes...to cover up for the fact that they weep through The Bachelor.

I really, really miss the Japanese Iron Chef. The dubbing was priceless. "Oh, the carrots feel so luxurious in my mouth!"

So what are yours? My goal is to expose us all for the goofballs we are. I posted the request on Twitter and Facebook 10 minutes ago and already I have over 20 different entries. Leave me your guilty pleasure in the comments or on either one of those sites. I'll post the results next week. Come on. It will feel so good to know you're not the only one.

Oh Chick Flicks, How I Hate You-"No Strings Attached"

2011-01-10T12:55:00.000-08:00

I review films for a number of sites, but this is a bit more of a blog than a review. It's kind of a hate letter to chick flicks. As some of you know, I just interviewed director Ivan Reitman for Coming Soon and got the scoop on the next Ghostbusters film. I do so love that man. Not only did he give us Slimer (anyone else remember drinking Hi-C Ecto Cooler?) but he's an incredibly nice man. I just attended a screening of his new film "No Strings Attached" and I was all ready to like it...because it's Ivan, not because of the subject matter.

I hate chick flicks. Just despise them. Oh, there are exceptions. I loved Lady Jane. Historical chick flicks can still get me. I do love a good love story. I just hate the stupid rom com formula. I know the very blah couple will be attracted to each other. There will be a series of hijinks and misunderstandings specially designed to keep them apart. They'll end up together. There will be a cute montage over the credits. I can tell you the entire story from the trailer. They bore the hell out of me.

Part of the reason is the fantasy of it all. This is coming from someone who reads books about dragons. But at least I accept that I'm unlikely to run into one on Hollywood Blvd. The fantasy of the perfect guy who has no flaws coming to sweep you off your feet is bullshit, yet I hear over and over from both men and women that they really do believe the perfect person is out there. When they meet someone who is otherwise wonderful, that one little flaw messes them up and they break it off or complain about why it just won't work. They're just not movie quality material.

Now, understand, I'm happily married and I've been with my husband for 14 years. He's seriously awesome and I'm convinced we were meant to be together. It was and is a damn good love story and I'd watch a film about it. Seriously, you wouldn't believe me if I told it to you how it all happened! But we both have flaws. After this many years, they're part of what I love about him. Anyway, like I said, a good love story is all right with me. Aragorn and his elf lady. The sweetly tragic A Lion in Winter. A Princess Bride. All favorites of mine. It's the "saving" thing I can't stomach.

In "No Strings Attached," we have a woman who is too busy for a relationship. The story is a bit of a mess. The couple (Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher) meet as teens in camp and she tells him she's not an affectionate person. They meet again years later and drags him to her father's funeral. She tells him he'd be better off not knowing her. Later in the script, we're told that she's only been frozen since dealing with her mother in the aftermath of her father's death.

Well, wherever it started, she's got relationship issues. All she wants is a fuck buddy. No room for the perfect man who loves her and has no flaws! Yup. Ashton's character has bad things happen to him but doesn't have a single thing wrong with him. (Makes him boring as hell in my book.) He puts up with Natalie's crazy. He makes her mix tapes. He takes her to fun places. He loves her with all his heart. He holds her. He doesn't even have a zit. Eventually, she caves. He 'saves' her from herself. Surprise, surprise.

Look, I loved listening to writer Elizabeth Meriwether speak. She's funny. Reitman said she's got a great understanding of her generations. But all I saw here was a reversal of the usual chick flick. In those, a perfect woman, far too pretty to be single, who's co-workers/family/friends don't get the perfectness of her being, meets a guy who is unobtainable. He's emotionally unavailable either because he doesn't want a relationship or he's already in one with a bitch (she has to be a bitch or we might actually sympathize with her) who just doesn't get him. In the end, he falls in love with her. She 'saves' him. It's the same damn thing. Sure, this film is a little more raunchy then the traditional fare, but hey, so is the younger generation. I think one of the first mistakes was having a director, wonderful though he is, on a film for far younger people. If he's like the rest of the older generation of Hollywood, he was so amused by the raunchiness and the phenomenon of social networking and navigating that world while dating that he didn't notice all the problems with the script. Ooh, it's different! It's the voice of a younger generation! Look at those crazy kids and their Facethingies and Tweeters! The script is so fresh and different! Imagine...women saying dirty things! Heehee! Here's the thing. For those of us IN that generation, this isn't fresh and new. It's our life. So we don't have to wade through all of that. We can clearly see the script problems, and the flawless, unreal character.

The newness and raunchy words from women are so normal to us, that it's also impossible to miss how underused this wonderful cast was. We get some great funny moments from Kevin Kline as the pot smoking dad dating his son's ex-girlfriend. But you've got Cary Elwes and you give him 3 lines? What the fuck? (See? Women curse.) Greta Gerwig, Olivia Thirlby, Adhir Kalyan...he's just a prop! Why stuff the cast with awesomeness and give them nothing to do?

The whole thing was uneven and unbelievable. No one is so flawed that they'd turn down a guy like this. There IS no guy like this. And the sex scene...oh god. Very uncomfortable. A still shot on the face during a scene that...I'm sorry. I don't care how cute he is. No woman, issues or not, is going to be okay with it going that quick.

I know, I know. No one is going to stop making these things. Some people love them. I know plenty of people who think my love of scifi is stupid. (Those people are crazy. Who doesn't love a time-traveling purple talking dragon on a spaceship?) I'm just saying that, if you're going to do the unbelievable, save me from myself, it's all going to work out in the end and we'll never have a fight for the rest of our lives and pour syrup over our heads-we're just so sickeningly sweet thing, at least try to have an even script. The Proposal managed it. This one didn't.

'Wear STAR WARS-Share STAR WARS' and Support Katie the STAR WARS Girl!

2010-12-09T07:58:00.001-08:00

A little while back, I spoke to Carrie Goldman, the mother of Katie the STAR WARS girl for The Huffington Post. (Check out the article here. And here is an update from her mom.) The story in a nutshell: Carrie wrote an article about her daughter Katie, a first grader who was teased for carrying a STAR WARS water bottle to class. She was told it was a 'boy thing.' The entire internet exploded. Geek girls and guys everywhere sent messages of support and love. Someone on Facebook organized a 'Support Katie' day, telling everyone to wear a STAR WARS shirt on Friday, December 10th.

Carrie told me that she had received so many incredible gestures of support and offers to send STAR WARS toys to Katie that she wanted to re-brand the day, 'Wear STAR WARS-Share STAR WARS' and have people donate a scifi or science gift to charity. I mentioned that, in addition to donating the toy, you should mark it 'for boys OR girls' so it doesn't go in the boy pile. So before I continue, I really want to encourage you to donate. Yeah, I know you all collect STAR WARS toys. I certainly do. There are two lightsabers in my trunk right this very moment. But let one go, guys. Show your support. Help our young geeky brethern in need. I have my Darth Vader shirt at the ready and a box of toys marked as unisesx. May the Force Be With You all.

I really want to get across two things here. First, we geeks have all experienced something like this. I played Pac-Man as a kid, I begged for a chemistry set for Christmas. I loved Dungeons & Dragons and one of the first books I can remember reading over and over was my STAR WARS companion book. I was Princess Leia for Halloween. Yes, my friends, I am a life long geek. Now, I hung out with a lot of boys when I was a kid, so I really wasn't teased. It wasn't until I got older that people couldn't understand why I liked 'guy stuff.' Honestly, I still get looks of shock when I mention being a level 64 Human Retribution Paladin in 'World of Warcraft' or watching every single series SyFy produces. It sounds funny. People seem to have no problem with it. But the surprise lingers.

After Carrie and I talked about gender roles and who is supposed to like what, I did a lot of thinking. Sure, we are more likely to see smart women on television and in film. But there is still a tendency to make any woman who likes science or scifi either a hot babe with big boobs so it's all a shock, or a homely girl with glasses and a weird sweater who has no social skills whatsoever. We've got Joss Whedon giving us fantastic, smart women for whom a love of computers or space ships are no surprise, but a certain stupid network keeps canceling his shows. A large portion of the country still looks at smart women as an anomaly.

It really surprised me that, even in the comments people left after our interview, people looked at the word 'geek' as an insult. So what do we do? We're not going to change the world in a week by wishing on a Tribble. What we can do is this. Continue to show our strength as geek women (and men) by continuing to be public about it. We can encourage the young girls in our lives to love WHATEVER they want to love. (We can do the same thing with boys who like dolls.) And we can donate a scifi toy, asking that it go to a little girl in need. Hey, if you have kids, encourage them to donate their unused toys and let them know that microscope or robot can go to anyone.

So, show your love for all things geek this holiday. Pull out your lightsabers and action figures. Do it for Katie and every little kid out there who loves the sound of spaceships more than My Little Pony. Do it for your inner geek. Merry Happy!

I'll Totally Go Green...Except for This

2010-11-23T20:34:00.001-08:00

I'm saving the planet, I swear. I reuse the paper when my stupid printer spits out half a document. I turn off the water when I'm brushing my teeth. I recycle my wine bottles, ensuring at least another ten years of glass for the rest of the world. I turn off the spiral light bulbs that remind me of icing when I'm playing World of Warcraft. These are all good ideas, and I'm happy to do it. But there are two 'going green' items that I despise. I mean, I hate them with a wild, burning passion. Low flow toilets and low flow shower heads.

Not sure about other states, but every once in a while, California sends out a low flow shower head to it's residents. Now, I have no hard data on this, but I'm pretty damn sure most of those remain in the box. I feel bad. I mean, they're trying. Saving water is a good thing. I want to be able to shower in real water in the future, not take a dust bath like a chinchilla. (Darn, those little guys are adorable.)

But here is the thing. I have long hair. Always have. I wrapped it around donut-shaped frames to be Princess Leia when I was a kid. I twisted it into braids. I had a gym teacher who used to grab my pigtails and tell me he was riding a motorcycle. (I know that sounds dirty now, but I swear it wasn't.) It's part of my identity and after an especially disastrous hair cut in sixth grade that had me crying in a bathroom, telling my mom I looked like a blond Annie, I will always have it. Long hair requires washing and I'm sorry, but using a low flow shower head is like standing under a drooling ogre. Just doesn't getcha clean, know what I mean?

Have any of you been in Europe lately? Ever seen those double button toilets? The ones that have an option for the amount of water you want to use? (I'll discuss troll boogers and the spiders in my basement for hours, but I don't think you need me to be graphic here, do you?) Anyway, why the hell don't we have those in America? Seems logical, right? If you have to flush a low flow toilet more than once, it kind of defeats the purpose. And in that vein, why don't we have a low flow/high flow option on our shower heads? I don't think people want to waste water. I'd be perfectly happy to switch over to a lower setting while soaping my hair and singing Bill Murray's lounge lizard version of the 'Star Wars' theme.

I'm just saying, if you want people to adopt something, don't be stupid about it. Now, I'm off to eat my last bag Sun Chips in the now-0fficially-banned-biodegradable-extra-loud bag.

Nine Years Ago Today

2010-09-10T22:21:00.000-07:00

Nine years ago today, I wasn't a writer. Nine years ago today, I was in line in NYC waiting for an audition, complaining about getting up at the ass crack of dawn. Nine years ago today, I didn't lose anyone I loved. But, nine years ago today, my life changed.

Yours did too. No matter what state you live in. Or what country for that matter. My boss at the time lost her husband. Yes I knew him. Not well, but I will now remember every moment of those few meetings for the rest of my life.

I still can't look at pictures from that day without losing the ability to speak for a few moments. I remember when all the TV stations decided we'd had enough sadness and stopped showing them. But I read a few posts on Facebook today from parents saying their kids didn't know about 9/11. And I passed someone on a hike talking about it. I heard 'never forget.' So I'm writing this. Because I won't.

I woke up at 4:30 am to audition for some nameless musical. That's what I used to do back then. Probably surprising to most of you. I haven't been on stage in years. I still sing in the car, but part of my desire for that career disappeared after this particular attempt. I don't know how it works now, but back then, members of Actor's Equity had to line up super early for a choice audition spot. I brought my folding chair that looks like it belongs to an old person. (Doubles as a cane) I spent hours chatting with brand new bestest friends. It happens when you're forced together for hours like that. It was a beautiful late summer day. Not a cloud in the sky. Everyone always mentions that, don't they? We can never stop talking about the weather, no matter what happens to us.

We all started to file into the Citicorp building. You know, the one with the slanty top. There was a church with a stage in the basement and we all sat there in the audience, waiting for our turn. Someone gasped into the nervous silence...we were about to get our spots and once the nerves start, even gabby girls like me shut up. We all turned to hear someone turn up their Walkman, and a radio announcer said, '...massive loss of life expected.' We listened as the report told us about a plane hitting one of the Twin Towers.

Flashback...because I did have one. My late grandmother took me to see them when I was a little girl. I lived on Long Island and she took my sister and I in all the time. I remembered standing under them, looking up. They were so tall, it seemed like they were moving.

Second flashback...they were coming on fast as I waited, shell shocked like everyone else, for an audition time. My then boyfriend, now husband telling me that I could always find out which direction I was walking by looking for the towers. I remember thinking that was brilliant. And that I was a bit slow. I'd been in and out of the city since I was a baby and I'd never once thought of that.

Some part of me was still thinking that it had been a little plane. The word 'massive' still hadn't sunk in. I walked up the stairs to the street when it hit me that my dad was going to be working in the same building that day and he was meeting me for breakfast. I was grabbing my cell out to call him and tell him what happened...like he wouldn't have known...when I saw a woman run in, sobbing, to a pay phone. My hands started to shake a bit. You know that feeling when you walk into a room and you just know the people in it are about to tell you something horrible? As I walked up on to the midtown street, it was like a nuclear bomb had gone off. Every car was stopped on the street. Taxis had their doors open and their radios on. People were crowed around each of the zillion stores selling TV's and cell phones that every big city has. That's when I heard about the second plane.

As I walked in a daze to the Lexington Avenue stop to catch the N train home to Astoria, I left my dad a thousand messages, telling him not to come in. I called my boyfriend over and over to tell him to come home, but my phone had stopped working. I stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and it fell out of my hand. I couldn't remember where he was! He was supposed to be loading in a theater production on the upper west side. I'll never forget it. It was 'The Shape of Things' with Paul Rudd and Rachel Weicz. But that day, I thought he was supposed to be near the Empire State building, getting some sort of equipment.

I felt sick. I picked up the phone and started to run in that direction, but all of a sudden, a cop ran past me, saying 'Miss, don't go that way. We're going to shut it down. Get on a train and go home. Not sure how he knew I didn't live in that direction, but I ran back to the subway. I kept trying to call him. Over and over. Once or twice I got his voice mail, but mostly nothing. I actually remember trying to sound calm so I wouldn't upset him. I had no idea what was happening, but I'd heard the word 'terrorists' and landmarks just didn't seem like a good place to be. As I got to the station, I realized he was indeed uptown and finally started breathing again.

As I entered the subway, I heard an announcement declaring that this was the last train out of the station that day, but they apparently didn't mention it inside the train. Someone getting off saw my walking stick/chair and asked if I was a nurse, laughing. I kept saying to myself, 'You have no idea what just happened. You have no idea what just happened.' These people had no idea they were on the last train out of the city. And as the train emerged from the tunnel, I saw the towers standing for the last time. The smoke was incredible. I could already smell it. I tried calling everyone I knew. No one answered. No one on the street where I lived seemed to know anything. I got home and called everyone from my land line.

Finally, my mother answered. She told me my dad was in a car with two co-workers and they were heading home. She asked if I was going back in to the audition. 'What? Are you kidding me? We were just hit by a terrorist! I think the audition may be canceled, Ma.' The TV was on by this time. 'Oh my god, they just hit the Pentagon!' My mother said, 'No they didn't. Not on Channel 2.' I practically yelled, 'Well, on Channel 4, they did!' I hung up and tried Eric again.

And finally...FINALLY...I got through. He was on his way home, walking. From 76th Street in Manhattan to Astoria. (I did something similar, walking from downtown Manhattan to Astoria during the famous blackout a few years later, but that's a story for another day.) I think I may have dropped to the floor. I couldn't remember later, but I had a bruise on one knee and one hand. And while I waited, I did what we all did. I watched CNN. It would be months before I felt comfortable turning it off. I wandered around my apartment, wondering if the entire country would be attacked. Wondering if Eric would make it home alright. Wondering if anything would ever be the same. And every time I passed a mirror, I saw someone I didn't recognize. I kept repeating, 'This is what shock looks like. This is what fear looks like.' Strange, I know. But I was an actor. Some weird autopilot after years of training that tells you to step back when you feel something and remember it. Seems really bizarre and selfish to me now, but if you're going to remember, you remember it all.

And later, when I had spoken to everyone in my family and Eric had come home with stories of free ice cream and water from people on the street, I fell asleep. I spent the next days glued to the television. Then I got a phone call. A friend of mine who worked at the same makeup counter told me they couldn't find our boss's husband. There were only three of us who worked there. The manager was this man's cousin. The CFO was his sister. We all knew and loved our boss, who was only a few years older than I was. And so I went back to the city, to 23rd Street, to help pass out flyers with his picture. Maybe someone had seen him. Yeah. Maybe.

They made us get off the subway at Times Square and walk the rest of the way. It was a ghost town for the most part. Paper everywhere. And the smell. My god, the smell. The further down I went, the more smoke and paper there was. And finally, people, passing out flyers, asking me to keep my eyes open for their husband/daughter/friend/co-worker/son/wife/girlfriend...sobbing, red-eyed people begging me to look. And I did. I did. By the time I reached the apartment, I had a stack of them. And I looked at every single solitary one, memorizing the faces. And I looked all the way home. I saw no one.

Before I went inside, one of the girls told me that someone had seen my boss's husband in the second tower, helping people in an elevator. And then it fell. He wasn't coming back. We went upstairs, we sat in the living room, listening to her crying and screaming and calling his name. She never came out. But her family was there. We asked her mother if there was anything we could do, she yelled, 'Can you give me my son-in-law back? Then no.' Her sister told us that we should probably go home. Our boss was in no shape for us and we couldn't do anything. We left in silence.

When we finally went back to work, days later, no one was buying lipstick. (I worked at a makeup counter. I forgot to say that.) And if they did, they said things like, 'This is to help us get back.' Walking to work, I saw a tank driving down Fifth Avenue. I bought an American flag scarf from a street vendor. I wore it everywhere. As the days went by, I saw funeral after funeral at St. Patrick's Cathedral. There was one when I went in, one at lunch, one as I left. It sucked the heart right out of me. I rarely cried, though people left work daily in tears. But I'm one of those people who look like icebergs at funerals. I don't cry in public. You know when it finally happened? Remember the pillars of light that they put up as a memorial? I went on my roof alone to see them and sobbed for hours.

I don't live in NYC anymore. I have to shut off old 'Friends' reruns when I see shots of the towers. I don't want to hear about any of it anymore. Even nine years later, I still feel sick when I think about that day. But we can't forget. We shouldn't. So here it is. My story. I didn't lose a loved one. I'll admit to getting pretty clingy with my poor husband for a few months, but he's still here. It's not a revelation. I've told people before. My story isn't going to give you a picture of a person who died that day or tell a tale of heroism or luck or horror. It's just one of thousands of stories about a New Yorker who was in the city that day. Thought I'd feel a little bit lighter after writing it. Funny, I don't.

It's Okay to Hate Art

2010-09-06T22:57:00.001-07:00

I'm about to say something that's either going to make you think I know nothing about culture or feel the need to clap your hands together while you nod in agreement. So here it is. Sometimes artsy is boring. I'm sorry, but it's true. Admit it! Oh, go ahead. I won't judge you. I don't care how much you pretend to love something to make yourself look like you 'get it' or keep people from thinking you're a Neanderthal. Sometimes art can be a snooze fest. I know what I'm talking about here. I have a BFA in Musical Theater. And yes, I know that sentence alone makes me sound pretentious. Trust me. It ends there. Because during my stay at Syracuse University, I failed to see the entertainment value in some of the 'classic' plays I read. Oh, I see the purpose. The intent. The message. I 'get it.' But I'm bored. And no way would I have said any of that to the other students. Even though I know at least half of them were thinking the very same thing. I could hear them snoring in class. I even got a bunch of them to admit it while drunk. (Oh thank the flying spaghetti monster we did NOT have Facebook when I was in college.)

I'm not lying when I say I love Shakespeare. But I am when I say I love 'Waiting for Godot.' Just an example. I understand the themes. I appreciate the meaning. I'm bored out of my skull. I know that's even part of the intent. But you don't EVER say you don't like that play. You immediately look like an idiot. You're uncouth. How could you possibly be an actor and not love every juicy moment of the boredom? How could you possibly be thinking about how much you have to pee and what a bad idea having a giant Diet Coke before the show was?

I love them both. I would be honored if either one of them adopted me. I would pay disgusting amounts of money to see them on stage together. I still hate 'Waiting for Godot.'

Someone loves it. Someone loves everything. I'm a geek...you may have noticed that when you read the title of my blog. I could talk about World of Warcraft and the adorable Murlocs in the Cataclysm beta for hours. Seriously, there are baby ones! I could speak endlessly about the methods I use to build my coffers or what it's like to actually fly over Azeroth. But if you're not into the game, you'd want to shoot yourself in five minutes just to shut me up. Go ahead and ask me about Tudor England, Greek mythology or themes in fairy tales...use the facilities and eat a hearty meal first, because you're not leaving your seat for the next few hours. Ask my sister what happened when she asked me about Mary, Queen of Scots as we drove through Scotland. She may growl at you. What I'm saying is this: it's alright to admit you're not into something. You're not an idiot. You just have other areas of interest.

Trying to convince my sister that this should be my niece's Halloween costume.

So what brought this particular rant on? 'The American.' And believe it or not, I liked it. I swear, I'm not lying. It was beautifully shot. We're talking about an absolute stunner here. And looking at George Clooney for a few hours is hardly a chore. Sure, he's a beautiful man, but he is also a fantastic actor and he handles both the dialogue and the two thirds of the film that are silent...no, I'm not exaggerating...with the ease of a seasoned pro. A lot of the movie-going public is not going to like it, and that's alright. And this is not a review of the film. It just made me think about the poor people who just went in to see Georgie without his shirt on. People who bought into the action film marketing. I imagine them leaving the theater, stunned by the lack of dialogue, but terrified to tell their viewing companion. 'Oh, no! It was wonderful! It was deep...and nice...and, well, deep.'

Oh yes. I know. It's hard to resist hot guys holding puppies. In underpants. Worse than crack.

Please understand, I can spend hours at the Met, dragging my poor friends through endless rooms of paintings and sculpture. I will wax poetic about the Pre-Raphaelites. I will watch a marathon of sub-titled Asian films and bore you to death with commentary on the differences in our entertainment culture. I'll discuss what's wrong with RPG's and why I need to use the One Bag cheat in WoW. I'm an art geek, a movie geek, a geek geek...see what I'm doing? I couldn't help myself. I'm trying to convince you I'm not an idiot. I'm a hipster of sorts, I swear! I wear cool shoes. I like tiny, fancy cupcakes! Me=smart, see?

So, in the end, it doesn't matter if I liked 'The American' or not. All art should be made and seen. And it's good to expose ourselves to everything we can. Try new things. See a French film. Talk to someone at an old age home. Adopt a puppy. Try that slimy thing on the menu at a new restaurant. Go to a museum. With me. Because I haven't been in a while and I need someone to listen to me babble about Waterhouse. Just admit it if you're not into it. And don't judge anyone else if they tell you the same thing. I cannot begin to count the number of people who have come out of a screening with me, talking about how much they loved a film, when the day before, they were railing against the very same thing. Since that screening, close friends have told me, in hushed voices of course, that they were bored, but afraid to tell anyone. Not the first time that has happened.

I love Waterhouse with the passion of a teenager's anger at the world. (Does that make me sound artsy?)

I'll still love you, even if you vehemently disagree with me in the comments section of my review of 'Pillars of the Earth.' I don't think your parents will disown you if you didn't love 'Inception.' I won't stop talking to you if you're a Twilighter. Um, can someone help me down off my soap box now?

Yes, I'm a Vegetarian. No, I Don't Hate You Because You're Not.

2010-08-13T15:08:00.000-07:00

This morning I received a note from my Facebook friend Tony Cates, saying he was going to do a Video Game Babes profile on me for Examiner.com. I was incredibly flattered. I was also surprised that he was going to include a little Facebook rant I wrote a while back about being a vegetarian. Here it is:

'I've been a vegetarian for 18 years. I don't care if you eat/cook/talk about meat in front of me. You don't have to apologize for eating meat. You don't have to tell me how many years you were a vegetarian or why it didn't work for you. I am not judging you and I am not recruiting. Now, can we just go out to eat?

I'll be honest with you. I forgot I wrote that. And it's now been two decades since I ate meat. Most people who hang out with me know I'm veggie. But if you've never been out to eat with me, you probably don't. It's not something I bring up a lot. Not because I'm hiding it. And not because I don't have every reason that I am burned into my brain and ready to recite. It's because I don't need to hear your apology.

You need to read 'Bunnicula.' Trust me. Vegetarian Vampire Rabbit.

That's right. Being vegetarian makes people more uncomfortable than when they try to figure out if someone is pregnant or just had a lot of beer. You feel judged, don't you? When I say, 'I'm a vegetarian,' you feel like I've just told you that all your life choices suck and you're a cruel person. And any secret guilt (and admit it...some of you do feel guilty) comes rushing to the surface from that time you went to the petting zoo, cuddled a baby cow and then ate McDonald's on the way home.

I saw this in Scotland. And no, I wasn't insane enough to try it.

Well, I am here to tell you, I don't give a shit. Sorry for the harshness. I believe I've warned you all about my truck driver mouth in the past. You do not have to tell me that you tried it once and it made you sick. I know it does that to some people. You don't have to make sure I'm aware that all your pets are rescues. I think that's wonderful. It doesn't matter to me that you gave up pork after you saw 'Babe.' Awesome for the piggies, but here's the thing. I'm not judging. Your choices are your own. I don't get to judge. I certainly don't think less of you than I did five minutes ago. I already assumed you ate chicken and I liked you anyway.

I'm not going to moo at you while you eat. It's an incredibly rare event when I say I can't eat somewhere. Almost every place either has something veggie or will make something. I'm not going to make a scene in a restaurant. Pissing off waiters only makes them spit in your food. If I come to your house and you're not already serving veggie food, I'll offer to bring some or just eat salad. But stop getting all twitchy on me. I don't care about your religion or politics either. I may argue about your choice of video game or Marvel vs. DC. I'll defend my opinions on movies all day long. I'll work my ass off to convince you that World of Warcraft is a legitimate use of my free time. But unless you're eating an eyeball, I'm not going to say a word about what's on your plate. Now, let's go grab dinner.

In case you're curious though, here are the answers to questions I'm always asked:

When did you decide to become a vegetarian?

I never liked the taste of meat as a kid and once I made the connection between the Long Island Game Farm where I'd just pet baby chicks and what was on my plate, I told my mother I didn't want to eat it anymore. She tried telling me the chickens on my plate died of old age or were hit by a car and already dead. She tried saying I could do what I wanted the second I left her house. I did. But for most of my childhood, our West Highland Terrier, Dundee ate the meat off my plate.

Do you do it for health reasons or because you love animals?

Yes. I'm thinner, I get sick less and I have a lot more energy since I stopped eating meat. And I love animals so much I can't even kill a bug. We had a bee infestation and Eric and I caught them and released them, and they promptly flew around the house and back inside. I do it for both reasons.

I found it so hard to get protein when I was a veggie. How do you get yours?

In the beginning, I lived on cream cheese and crackers. And spray cheese. Oh, I am not proud of it but it's true. Nowadays, there are so many ways to get protein outside of tofu and beans. There are products like Quorn (try their cutlets with the goat cheese and cranberries inside) and Morningstar Farms has a ton of stuff as well. My mom bought me their Chix patties and my dad ate them for two years, not realizing they weren't chicken.

Is your husband vegetarian because you made him stop eating meat?

He's been veggie for twelve years and I had nothing to do with it. I didn't care if he was a vegetarian any more than I care if you are. I mean, he probably wouldn't have done it if we hadn't been together, but I did not guilt him/cajole him/withhold anything from him. If he stopped tomorrow, it's his decision, not mine.

I still eat fish and I call myself a vegetarian. Do you hate me?

Nope. But you're not a vegetarian. We don't eat animals. Fish are not made of cardboard. By the way, my dad offers to grill cardboard for me every time I see him. :)

Are your pets vegetarian?

Dude, I have a snake. He eats rats. They don't make those out of tofu. My cats eat cat food. My dog eats everything. Though I will admit, he does love soy protein. And my bunny...well, he steals dog food, so I suppose even he isn't veggie.

I love you all. Now finish your hamburger.

I'm Back...and Defending Emoticons

2010-08-06T11:09:00.000-07:00

It's been a while. I know. But trust me, I've been busy. For the past few months, I've been hosting the Moviefone Minute. Yes, I know it's more like two minutes, but hey, I'm a talker. There was Comic Con, which was both amazing and exhausting. (I finally bought my sonic screwdriver...which required a screwdriver to open.)

Oh my god, I love this thing!

And I've had some crazy interviews. Julia Roberts laughed at my name, telling me that if I'd been the other Jenna Bus(c)h, she would have had to discuss politics. My first Skype interview with the very awesome Derek Mears from Hawaii, where he's filming 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.' Angelina Jolie telling me she eats spiders. Mickey Rourke asking me if we'd met in a bar the night before. Russell Brand betting me I could have sex with 17 people in an hour. Oh, believe me, we left that one off the final interview. That's what I get for telling him I was impossible to offend. :)

Why yes, that is an emoticon you see at the end of that sentence. I know it's a big no no for people over the age of 16. And I couldn't care less.

I'm pretty sure you're no different than me in that you analyze what people say. Big phone call with the boss? Then I bet you spent at least 15 minutes reading into what he or she sounded like. Was that anger in her voice? Was there a bit of sarcasm? Did she sound excited about the new project or bored out of her skull? Just have a run in with that guy you like? Oh, I guarantee you're replaying it over and over in your head, trying to read the body language and debating the meaning of each and every gorgeous blink of his baby blues.

In the age of social networking, we're friends with people we've never met in person and probably never will. We have meaningful conversations in 140 characters. We talk to celebrities on Twitter and we send each other quick notes in a thousand different forms...but they're all written. There is no body language to dissect. There is no sound to endlessly ponder. No way to detect sarcasm. (Oh, how desperately we need a sarcasm font!) I've sent emails to people that have set off wars because no one got the joke. And so I rely on two little symbols. : and ) to express my good mood. The joke I'm making. That I really don't mean to be a bitch when I ask for just one more favor. :( means I'm sorry I'm turning down drinks for the thousandth time because I have 5 more articles to write. Without it, 'Sorry. Deadlines are keeping me chained to my computer' sounds kind of obnoxious.

My favorite one isn't on here.

Anyone who's spoken to me in person or watched my videos knows that I'm not subtle. I'm loud. I speak with my hands. My facial expressions are one arched eyebrow short of a cartoon character. I started in musical theater. What can I say?

This is from Evita at the Zachary Scott Theatre in Austin, TX.

I'm just as goofy/chatty/over the top in my writing most of the time. I compare movies like 'Inglourious Basterds' to cheese and noodles. But in short emails and Twitter updates, I feel a bit handcuffed. (My friends swear that if you made me sit on my hands, I wouldn't be able to speak.) When happiness can be expressed in 2 characters, why not take advantage of it?

So here's my point. In the age of Twitter, the rules have changed. Emoticons are tools like any other. You aren't bothered by BRB and OMG. You're totally comfortable giving up #SpacesBetweenWordsForHashtags. You tell people that, if you could be bothered with actual human contact, you'd be giving them ::hugs::. So a couple of smiley faces here and there don't mean you're trying to relive your teenage years. They're just letting people know, in the shortest way possible, that you don't mean to sound like an ass when you post, @whoever Oh frak you. :)

We refer to that mic flag as the 'shot killer.' It's all over ABC's coverage of the 'Salt' premiere.

I Work in Pajamas...Help!

2010-03-02T19:52:00.000-08:00

Listen, I'm sure this has been written about a thousand times, but I'm adding my two cents. I only started working from home a few years ago and in that time I have learned a few things. Number one is that people who have never done this very often refuse to believe that you're actually working all day. Believe me, loyal readers, I am not complaining about my job. I love it more than I can say. Oh, I'll bitch and moan about my typing soreness and the 'um's and 'uh's that haven't been removed from a transcription, and celebs who give one word answers. But there isn't a day that goes by...not one, that I don't thank my lucky stars that I get paid to do this.

I swear to you, I really do love my job. OK, maybe not enough to do this, but still...

And now that you've read my disclaimer...

There are a ton of good things that go along with working at home. I never really have to get out of my pajamas. I do it for my sanity, but there are plenty of times when I don't. (I make up for it by wearing four inch heels, slinky dresses and gluing lashes to my eyes for red carpets.) I've said it before, but I don't believe my UPS and FedEx guys have ever seen me in anything but nightwear.

No, I don't wear these anymore, but I did once. And since I've been talking about Underoos on Twitter, it was hard to resist.

I can type with my bunny on my lap. No one yells at me for having music on in the background or watching NSFW videos. And if I want to do sit-ups while doing research for an interview, no one is going to look at me funny. Alright, the dog gives me funny looks here and there, but he eats poop, so he doesn't get a vote.

Don't let him smooch you!

You learn a lot about your neighbors when you're home all day. If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you've heard about the famous 'vomit goulash' that my neighbors have been cooking with alarming frequency. I don't know what's in it, but from the smell, I'm guessing dead people, sewage and Vegemite. It is, of course, an all day affair. I have smelled this hideousness as early as 7 am.

I didn't think you'd like a picture of dead bodies or sewage. This is close enough.

I know which of my neighbors' dogs bark the entire day. I know who comes home drunk at 3 pm. I know how often you make your children cry. (And so do half the people I interview. They've commented on it.) And I'm fairly certain the people who live behind me are building an ark. No other reason to be pounding and hammering and sawing all day, every day. It's starting to make me wish I lived in a remote forest cottage. It's so damn noisy that I often find myself typing 'Shut the fuck up' while transcribing.

Sigh. I want to go to there.

People don't really get what it means to work at home. It means that, while I can take breaks to go hiking in the middle of the day, my day never actually ends. The computer is there and if a thought strikes me, I start typing. Sure, I'll go out from 2-3 in the afternoon, but I'll keep typing until midnight. And I'll be back up at 6 am. I don't wait for an office to open. I don't leave when it closes. And it's hard to justify stopping at 6 like a normal person. I mean, I'm right here, I'm comfy and the computer is open anyway, so...

No, that's not me, but I've woken up more than once with keyboard face.

Like I said, it's all worth it. I wouldn't have it any other way. But here is why I'm writing this...other than an excuse to vent about my annoying landlady who has been pounding on my door almost daily. If I'm home, I'm working. The fact that my car is parked in it's spot does not mean I'm free to chat about your laundry for an hour when you catch me outside. (I'm not trying to be mean...I do say over and over that I have to get back to work now.) Dropping by unannounced is baaad. Please (and landlady, this means you) stop assuming that any time of day is fair game to check on the ceiling/sink/mail. Just because I'm here does not mean I'm obligated to answer the door. It certainly doesn't mean that pounding harder is going to make me notice you. It doesn't mean that the night before is enough notice for a giant ceiling repair that I've been asking for since 2008. 'But you'll be home...' I'm not free to pick up groceries for you or pick you up from the airport. 'But it's not that far for you and you're home anyway.'

This just makes me laugh every time I see it.

I'm not just writing this to bitch. I mean, it's very cathartic to do so and it helps keep my hands busy so I don't go knock some sense into whoever is banging on the wall next door. I actually want to know if any of you other work-at-home people have suggestions for boundaries. Please send them! I heart you all!

I get LOST on AOL, chat with a Superwoman and bitch about RPG's

2010-02-24T10:47:00.000-08:00

OK, I know it's been a looong time since I've posted, but it's been a crazy few weeks! Had to let you know about a fun project I've been doing though. Like most of you, I'm a huge LOST fan. Yeah, I admit that there was a time back in the early days that I almost gave up on it. But I stuck with it and damn, I'm glad I did. Wouldn't miss crazy Claire for the world! Squirrel baby, dude!

Anyway, I get a message from The TV Girl, the lovely Maggie Furlong (@TheTVShowGirl) asking me to be a guest on her new AOL show, 'Instant Dharma'. We get to pull apart and try to explain the latest episode of everyone's favorite island drama. Of course, I was in! I mean, hell, it's what I do in my den after the show every week anyway! Now I just wear fake lashes while I do it. Here is the premiere episode (with Matt Fowler (@Fowler_IGN):

Couldn't have been more fun! So last night, I got the chance to check out the super cool set again, drink out of the Dharma mug and most importantly, watch the East Coast feed on a ginormous screen. Take a look at the video while Maggie, Todd VanDerWerff (@tvoti) and I discuss crazy Claire, Jack's surprise and the secrets of the Lighthouse. (Major spoiler alert! Watch the episode first!)

I've also got my Newsarama interview with genre Goddess Gina Torres, from the JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRISIS ON TWO EARTHS. We chat about Superwoman, a Wonder Woman live action film and underoos!

Gina Torres on Superwoman

That's all for now. I swear, I'll be back more often! Oh, wait...one more thing. I just ranted about the 6 things that need to change about RPG's on Newsarama. Just a few things I yell at my screen over and over again. Check it out and let me know what you think:

6 Things that Need to Change About RPG's

Rob Buckley Makes the Internet Asplode!

2010-01-26T13:28:00.000-08:00

Wow!!! Mention you want to play a superhero and the blogs go wild!!! I just spoke to ONE TREE HILL's Rob Buckley for Popeater, and we got into a big discussion about his great love for comics. Not quite Popeater's audience, so I ran that bit on one of my other sites, Geek Week. It seems Rob was voted "Most Likely to be a Superhero" in school and when I asked him who he'd like to play, he said, "Well, hands down I would be Captain America. Yeah, it's kind of a no contest right there." Well, apparently, it's big news!

The story got picked up by a bunch of sites. Here is the original article:

ONE TREE HILL's Rob Buckley, Geek, Talks Comics

And here is where it got the blogs buzzing. MTV Splashpage:

ONE TREE HILL Actor Rob Buckley Wants to Wield Captain America's First Avenger Shield

ComicBookMovie:

Rob Buckley Wants to Wield the Shield!

And one of my other sites, the awesome Newsarama:

This Just In: Minor Television Actor Wants to Play the Lead in a Blockbuster Superhero Movie

I've got to say, it would be really nice to see someone who is not a huge movie star take the role. I mean, I heart Robert Downey Jr. a lot, and I love him in the role, but Captain America is such a huge icon. It may be hard to squish a name in the suit. Just a thought. I'd love to hear yours!

And here is the link to the rest of the interview on Popeater:

One Tree Hill Star Rob Buckley: Secretly Nerd

Definitely check this out. The guy was on THE PRICE IS RIGHT and his story is hysterical!!!! Pretty cool guy, that Mr. Buckley.

Your Mom's Advice, Boobs, Blood and Ancient Fluffers, Jolene Blalock and Kristin Kreuk

2010-01-22T21:49:00.001-08:00

Ok, I have to say this. And it's not directed at anyone in particular. I'm sure you've heard it a thousand times, but I'm going to be your Mom for a second. Don't put anything on the internet that you wouldn't show everyone in the universe. Because you just did. You bad mouth someone (and believe me, I'm just as guilty of this as you are) and it's pretty damn likely they'll hear about it. Don't pass on someone's nasty words, because there are a thousand people smarter and more tech savvy than you and I. Someone is going to figure it out. Same goes for those pictures of you with the Hello Kitty vibrator, or doing a keg stand in a pink boa or whatever. (Oh thank god I went to college before the age of Facebook!) I mean, hey, if you have no problem with people seeing you in your tighty whities and red heels, by all means, flaunt it baby! Just saying...OK, fine, I am talking about someone specific...I knew who you meant, and so did about 50 other people who read it. Alright. Done throwing stones in my glass house. Don't worry. I'll be reading this back to myself next time I get in a Twitter fight.

Vibrating Shoulder Massager my lilly white ass!

Anyway, I've got some fun pieces for you in this post. It's hot chick day my friends! First, on Newsarama is my interview with genre goddess Lucy Lawless, BUFFY alum Steven S. DeKnight and the unbelievably hot Andy Whitfield (it was a conference call, so I'm going to pretend all the cool questions were mine) about their new and super racy SPARTACUS: BLOOD AND SAND. I've seen the first two episodes and I'm totally enjoying every naked...I mean, every awesome bit of acting...seriously, it's really cool.

Boobs, Blood and Ancient Fluffers-SPARTACUS: BLOOD AND SAND

So glad it was warm back then. No need for parkas.

This morning I spoke with the stunning and really funny Jolene Blalock for IGN. I met Jolene last year when I did a walk on role for the television show 10 ITEMS OR LESS. I played a Trekkie (well, a Trokkie, since the characters couldn't legally use the name...in the show...not the...never mind) and Jolene played herself. I got to interview the cast and crew. A total blast. (HERE is the link to the article I wrote about it on the Huffington Post with a link to the UGO interviews.) Anyway, she was hysterical! We talked crayons, why she thinks Spock is hotter than Kirk, and her new role as Sister Nicci on LEGEND OF THE SEEKER.

Jolene Blalock Talks Legend of the Seeker

Don't care that Nicci is blond in the book. Still awesome casting.

Finally, I chatted with the lovely Kristin Kreuk about her upcoming four episode arc on CHUCK for IGN. (One of my favorite shows, by the way.) Not only is she a great actress and a super nice person, but she's doing something that is very near and dear to my heart. She's empowering young women. She and business partner Kendra Voth have started a social networking/content creation site for girls, allowing them to support each other in their business ventures and projects, and build self esteem. It's called Girls By Design and it's almost ready to go. Please, especially if you have daughters, check out the site and give her your support. Here is the link: GirlsByDesign.com and a link to the Huffington Post interview I did with her about GBD a while back. It's got all the details. Told you the lady is cool. (And she calls me out on my geekiness.) ;)

Kristin Kreuk Gets Geeky With Chuck

Geeks need love too!

Coming soon: Interviews with ONE TREE HILL's Rob Buckley, Rod Roddenberry, a bunch of JSA peeps from SMALLVILLE, Jim Parsons from BIG BANG THEORY, and Erica Cerra from EUREKA.

Makeup Commericals LIE!!! (And lots of geeky goodness)

2010-01-20T12:40:00.000-08:00

Today, I'm taking time out of your regularly scheduled programming to talk about something girlie. Makeup advertising. And really, advertising in general, so guys, give me a sec here. And below I have links to all the craziness I've been up to lately. (PLANET HULK and Mel Gibson interviews to come.)

Anyway, I've been home because of the rainpocalypse and when I'm on my couch, the television is on. Daytime programming is god awful and the commercials are worse. For those of you who don't know, I was a makeup artist for fifteen years. (Wanna see my craziness? Check it out here.)

Yes, that's a dragon on my leg.

So I see this commercial for roll-on foundation. It comes with it's own special paint roller.

I could make jokes about spackle, but I'm sure the one you just came up with is funnier. I'm sorry, but who is stupid enough to buy into this? I don't care that Evangeline Lilly is hawking this crap. I guarantee she isn't using it. This is the same bullshit I see every few weeks. Vibrating mascara? No, I'm not kidding.

Anyone think those are real lashes?

Unless you're buying this because you're too embarassed to enter a sex shop to purchase a "personal massager", you have been duped. (I'm sorry. We've all done it. I know I did before I sold this crap on QVC. Not kidding about that either.) In case you didn't know (and the industry makes sure you don't), the cosmetics industry is not regulated by the FDA. So they can sell you as many magic 'you won't have any more wrinkles on your 50-year-old face' potions and 'your eyelashes will be so long you'll whack the person down the hall with them' serums as they want. In case you're wondering, every single mascara commercial has models in fake lashes! Fake lashes in commercials selling you a black-tinted cream to make your lashes look full! If that isn't blatant false advertising, I don't know what is.

So here's the deal. Before you buy, think about this. If the creams worked that well, no one would spend thousands of dollars on cosmetic surgery. If the mascaras were so amazing, everyone would be smacking each other with their lashes. 'Hope in a Jar' is bullshit. Powder filled with mica (shine is baaaad when you're trying to cover flaws...hear me Bare Essentials?) isn't going to give you flawless skin and oh my god no, you shouldn't sleep in it! Are you insane? And plastering your foundation on with a paint roller is very, very stupid. We now return you to your regularly scheduled geeky program.

The Seeker Speaks-My interview with Craig Horner

Alyssa Milano Travels from Castle to the Jersey Shore

Why Don't Scandals Hurt Charlie Sheen's Career?

By the Power of Grayskull-The He-Man Art Show!

Video: 'Spider-Man 4' Cancelation And Reaction From Around The Web

Ghost Hunters International Returns to Scare the Pants off You

Kerr Smith Lives the Unexpected Life

UPS Brings Me Booze-Hiding Books and Wonderland!

2010-01-06T13:08:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone! My UPS guy just got the dog all riled up with a giant box. (My mom sends him cookies in the mail, so he thinks every delivery is for him.) Inside was a stunning ALICE IN WONDERLAND book...inside was another book, and another...here. Take a look. (And scroll down to the end to see what it was hiding.)

The gorgeous outer shell.

The beautiful first shot...which lead to...

Another book inside! (Oh, come on. It's ALICE IN WONDERLAND. How could I not have my very own white rabbit in the shot?)

Alice at the gates of Wonderland.

The Red Queen's castle on the shores of the Crimsen Sea.

Marmoreal, the White Queen's castle.

And yet another book! I really wish I had someone to hide booze or weapons from.

Mia Wasikowska as Alice.

I doubt I need to tell you who this is.

Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen. Starting to wonder if Depp, Carter and Tim Burton have some sort of polyamorous relationship going on...

Anne Hathaway as the White Queen.

And the final, teensy tinesy book, which contained...

A key! Um, I mean, a USB...well, just look. Some stills from the movie!

My Decade in Pics. Happy New Year Everyone!

2009-12-31T14:36:00.001-08:00

Had to do one final post for the year. Plus, I'm bored. Sitting on my couch, waiting until the hour is appropriate for drinking. Oh, come on. You're doing the very same thing. I promise, this one is mostly pictures. I wouldn't want to make you read with those bleary eyes.

Here is my decade in pics, my parents forty years apart and a video of the worst voice acting in video game history...just cause. Anyway, Happy New Year everyone! See ya on the other side!

My parents just showed me that they too can be published. ;) They got their pics in the Tauck Tours magazine. They eloped in the sixties and headed off to Germany where my dad was stationed. While they were in Europe, they visited Venice and posed for a pic in Piazza San Marco. Forty years later, they did the same thing. See below. They switched hair colors.

Anyway, here are the pics. In the past decade I:

Got married:

...by a priestess at a castle in Scotland.

Moved from NYC to LA:

Everything we own was in that truck!

Went from actor:

Me as Evita at Zach Scott in Austin, TX.

to makeup artist:

My lovely model is Josie Yount.

to journalist:

I'm Batman!

Got a dog:

Fionnie the cool.

and a bunny:

Emer the fuzzy.

lost family:

Rose Busch and Helen Knight, my grandmothers.

The awesome Minky Binky Bonky Boo.

gained a niece:

Sairsha Rose, aka Peanut.

and remained as geeky as always:

I started early.

And since I'm the biggest geek in the universe, I laughed my ass off when I saw this video. (Thanks to Ryan Turek from ShockTillYouDrop for posting this on Facebook.)

For those of you who wondered where STAR TREK was on my top 5 list...

2009-12-23T13:31:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! I know a lot of you guys are freaking out about STAR TREK being left off my Top 5 list. Little did you know, it's actually in my Top 10. I wrote it up a while back, so I thought I'd share 6-10 with you. In case you were wondering why DISTRICT 9 isn't on here, lemme 'splain. I really enjoyed it. But shaky cam gives me vertigo. It's the reason I can't play first person shooters. I almost really, really upset the person next to me in the theater.

Anyway, feel free to comment and tell me why my choices suck. ;)

DRAG ME TO HELL

One of the trends this year has been the return to fun horror. I know that sounds weird to non-horror fans, but think of the old eighties films that had you laughing as well as screaming. (Not in a spoof sort of way.) I have no issues with torture porn. Really, I don't. But it's getting old. I'm no longer shocked. DMTH was just plain fun. It was silly. It was scary. It made me fear creepy old gypsy women with staplers and an over abundance of bodily fluids. It made me yell and embarrass myself in front of the horror blogger I was sitting next to. (Don't judge, Ryan.) It was everything I love about Sam Raimi. The only thing that would have made it better was a cameo from Bruce Campbell.

ANVIL

I'm a shameless metal head. I make no apologies. But you don't have to like metal to love this film. No only does ANVIL show two of the most dedicated, if ultimately (and sadly) unsuccessful artists in the genre, it makes you want to take them home, give them a bath and hug them like puppies. Seriously though, it's a beautifully made film and it really gives you insight into the music world. These guys were part of the beginning of it all. \m/ forever!

MOON

A lovingly crafted sci-fi movie that reminds you of where the genre came from. The film could just as easily been a stage production, which is refreshing in a time where you can almost hear the studio execs screaming, “More CG! More 3D!” at film makers. Don't your panties in a bunch. I love CG and 3D. I love explosions and car crashes. But every once in a while, a restrained piece like MOON comes along, using camera work and acting (imagine that) to tell the story. Writer/director Duncan Jones clearly has a passion for the subject (it's based on the book “Entering Space” by Robert Zubrin) and channelled that beautifully into the film. (It was very hard for me not to hum “Space Oddity” when I interviewed him.) And Sam Rockwell give a tour de force performance. There is also an excellent butt shot and a happy dance. And fuzzy dice. Can't forget those. Sorry.

STAR TREK

It is with a glad heart that I add STAR TREK to my top 10 list. As a bit of a trekkie, I wasn't expecting to like it. Too many things could have gone wrong. Even with their decision to use an alternate timeline, it could still have been a big old giant stinking mess. But it all worked out perfectly. Excellent casting (Karl Urban practically channelled Bones) including Leonard Nimoy, a completely engaging story and no tribbles. I love tribbles, don't get me wrong. (I saw a vibrating one at Wondercon...eew.) What I mean to say is that they didn't rely on “Oh look at the reference we just made...get it? Get it?” The storytelling was solid, the action was fantastic, the references weren't overdone...solid film all around. Now, if we can only manage to keep Khan out of the sequel...

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS

The title alone makes me happy. I never read the book it's based on, but I'm absolutely in love with the story. And the giant jelly beans. The voice casting (Bill Hader, Anna Faris) could have easily gone over the top, but it was delightfully restrained. The monologue from Earl Devereaux played by Mr. T had me laughing hard that soda almost came out of my nose. And I haven't had soda in years. Neil Patrick Harris as Steve the monkey...please, just see this film. Phil Lord and Chris Miller are young film makers and they've put out a product that promises Pixar-rivaling things to come. The phone call scene where Flint (Hader) tries to get his computer-illiterate dad to email him something was one of the funniest things I've seen on film all year. (It certainly helped that I had just done the same thing with my mother on the way over to the screening.) Even better, they used the 3D. I've said it before, but I'm so tired of studios almost apologizing for it. “Oh we don't throw things at you.” Um, it's 3D. Throw things at me! That's the point!

Note: Eat before you see this or you'll binge like a stoner...not that I know anything about that. Ahem.

Click HERE to check out my top 5 on JoBlo.com!

El Guapo and I Look for Clues, Danny Trejo, Rob Rodriguez, Me as Evita, Judge, Bana and Black Metal

2009-12-22T11:27:00.000-08:00

December has exploded in my face. Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I have a bunch of new stuff for you guys, though at this point, I'd hoped to have a report on Dragon Age: Origins. Sadly, it is sitting on my table, mocking me. I am, however, reading a Dragon Age novel. (I'm trying to make myself feel better.)

"I need TP for my bunghole!" Damn, it was hard not to do my Cornholio imitation while at a press dinner for Mike Judge. Extract is out on DVD and Blu-ray today, and it definitely cracked me up. Here are the highlights from our press dinner. I stuck to the first hour, as the alcohol was flowing generously.

Interview with Mike Judge

I recently got a chance to chat with the film makers behind the black metal doc, Until the Light Takes Us. Maybe I should have told them that I'm a giant metal head before we started. They were a bit defensive about the whole thing. And I guess my voice doesn't exactly sound...OK fine. I sound like a giggly blond cheerleader. (I wasn't, by the way.) Anyway, the film was pretty cool and definitely worth a look.

Until the Light Takes Us Interview

Also got to do an interview with the very hot Eric Bana. He just did a documentary about racing the car he's been rebuilding since the age of 15. Sadly, he's not doing anything for the next 18 months. Damnit. By the way, it's really hard to transcribe Austrailians.

Eric Bana on Love the Beast

As all of my Facebook and Twitter buds know, I was just in Austin, TX (first time I've been back since I played Evita there in 2000).

Anyway, I was there to check out Predators. Can't say shit about it right now or they'll come after me with shotguns, but I did get some info from Robert Rodriguez and Danny Trejo about Spy Kids, the relaunch and Machete.

Robert Rodriguez from the Predators Set

Danny Trejo Talks Machete

Finally, today I did a video review of Sherlock Holmes with the super cool George "El Guapo" Roush of Latino Review. (Tell him I said hi at George@LatinoReview.com) Not sure where it's going on my end...JoBlo or Huff Po, but here is the video:

George and I do these a lot, but it's been a while. Two goofier reporters you couldn't find, even with a magnifying glass the size of the one George uses to look at my chest. ;) I drew a moustache on him with eyeliner. Hope it comes off!

Felicia Day and Friends, Claudia Black on FARSCAPE Webisodes, Eric Bana on Stand Up and AVATAR vs. MOON

2009-12-14T22:51:00.000-08:00

Well, I've created a shit storm. I didn't love AVATAR and I've really made people angry. And you know what? Fuck 'em. I was totally honest. I wouldn't take back a word of what I said, especially since I said a lot of positive things about it. And by the way, I get why people are giving me shit about my math. I gave it a visual 10/10 and a 4/10 for story, but I still gave it a 6/10. I know what the average of those two numbers are, but to me, story has more weight than visuals. Look at MOON (JoBlo Review HERE). Super low budget and still a brilliant story. Made my top ten of the year.

But AVATAR...I'll say it one last time. Visually incredible. A MUST-SEE! But I wasn't going to pretend to love the story. Read a few of the positive reviews. Even they seem to apologize for the writing. Anyway, I doubt one negative review is going to make a James Cameron film tank, especially when that review tells you to see it anyway. Just saying. HERE is the JoBlo review if you'd like to add your two cents.

I kind of love this picture.

Believe it or not, other things happened today. My VGA red carpet interview with Felicia Day, Sandeep Parikh and Amy Okuda from THE GUILD went up today on Newsarama. Check it out HERE. I got Felicia and Sandeep together. They talked about THE GUILD season 4, LEGEND OF NEIL and a little DR. HORRIBLE. Amy Okuda wandered by afterward and seemed surprised that I recognized her. She was there as a guest of Mark Hamill's daughter! She gave us a look at what she wants to see happen to Tinkerballa.

The ladies of THE GUILD, Robin Thorsen, Amy Okuda and Felicia Day.

And I'm pleased to announce my first article on one of my favorite sites, Collider.com. I got to interview the super cool Claudia Black of STARGATE and FARSCAPE fame. FARSCAPE is one of my favorite shows of all time, and the Aeryn Sun/John Crichton love story...nothing better. She gives a bit of info on the FARSCAPE webisodes. See what she has to say HERE.

Ben Browder and Claudia Black as John Crichton and Aeryn Sun.

Finally, I got to chat with Eric Bana this morning about his very personal documentary, LOVE THE BEAST. I'll post that as soon as it goes live on JoBlo, but he was great to talk to. I asked if he would ever do any stand up in the US, but sadly, he said no. That man is seriously funny. From THE HULK to FUNNY PEOPLE. He saved the third act of that film.

What? Did you think I was going to use a more current picture when this was on the web?

By the way, I sent in my nominations for the Critic's Choice Awards this weekend. The official noms came in today. Check them out on the BFCA website (Broadcast Film Critic's Association) HERE. Happily, most of my choices made the list. Sad that MOON didn't receive more. What do you guys think of the choices. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Video Game Awards!!! Part 4

2009-12-12T18:38:00.000-08:00

OK, last post. I have a few more red carpet pics for ya. First up, Alyssa Milano blowing a kiss at the camera guys. She's on Castle for one episode on January 11th as Nathan Fillion's long lost love interest.

Anyone else remember her exercise video from the eighties where her tag line was, "Way cool"?

The eighties weren't kind to any of us.

And a new photo of blond cylon Tricia Helfer. You guys have to catch her on the premiere episode of Human Target. Great show! Premieres in January. Mark Valley, Jackie Earle Haley...awesome fight scenes...total win!

Best Music Game: Beatles: Rockband

How cool! I'm totally obsessed with Rockband. My neighbors are not happy about that. But they keep cooking something that smells like vomit goulash, so fuck 'em.

World Premiere of Halo: Reach! Graphics look pretty damn cool! I'd love to know how much money they've made with all the Halo games. Enough to donate to the "Send Jenna to a Private Beach Fund", I'm sure.

And finally...

Game of the Year: Uncharted 2: Among Theives

Well guys, that's it for the Video Game Awards Live Blogging Extravaganza. It's back out into the rain for me. I had to park 8 blocks away. I'll post links to all my red carpet interviews as soon as they go live. See ya!!!

Video Game Awards!!!! Part 3

2009-12-12T18:02:00.001-08:00

I also got a chance to chat with geek goddess Felicia Day and her co-stars on The Guild, Sandeep Parikh (Zaboo) and Amy Okuda (Tinkerballa). I'll have that up on Newsarama, but in the meantime, here's a pic for ya. Are you guys watching it? Pure awesome. Can't wait for the new Dr. Horrible. You know no one ever dies in sci-fi, so...

Throwing in a Mike Tyson picture for good measure. Look at him with his kid. He looks all cuddly and shit.

Best Individual Sports Game: UFC Undisputed

Is it sad that I was kind of hoping the Tiger Woods game would win? Am I just mean?

Found this floating around the interwebs.

Best RPG: Dragon Age: Origins

This game is sitting on my desk right this very moment and I haven't had a second to play it! I'm dying to start!!! I've always been an RPG girl and this one looks incredible!

They just spouted these off all in a row...typing as fast as I can!!!!

Best performance by a Human Female: Megan Fox in Transformers

Best Downloadable Game: Shadow Complex

Best Wii Game: New Super Mario Brothers

Best DLC: Grand Theft Auto: Ballad of Gay Tony

Most Anticipated Game: God of War 3

I am in love with the God of War franchise. I did a preview of some footage a while back and my friend Jessica Villareal and I were on camera while they were recording stuff for the game extras. We mentioned boobs, so I'm guessing it will make the cut. ;)

(Here's a link to the trailer.)

They're doing it again! Rattling off winners! My poor fingers...

Best Shooter: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Best Fighting Game: Street Fighter 4

Best Handheld: Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

Best Driving Game: Forza Motorsports 3

Best Soundtrack: DJ Hero

Best 360 Game: Left for Dead 2

Best Score: Halo 3 ODST

Best Movie/TV Adaptation: South Park: Let's Go Tower Defense Play!

One more post after this...

Video Game Awards !!! Part 2

2009-12-12T17:35:00.001-08:00

I know I promised you guys I'd do a post on breast physics. And since I'm at the video game awards, I thought this would be a great time to talk about it. So here's what I think...I have no problem with giant-breasted women in games. None at all. Not my thing, but I get it. They give me plenty of musclebound warriors to drool over. But here is my issue with breast physics in video games. They do NOT bounce independently. I mean, they can, but if you jump up and down, you don't land with one looking up and one heading south, you know what I mean? Most women in video games look like someone is invisibly juggling them.

Ivy from Soul Calibur...awesome game. Pumpkin-sized boobs.

I got a chance to interview Ed Boon and Jimmy Palmiotti a while back and I told them my theories. They seemed surprised to hear it. (They also couldn't stop laughing.) Which makes me wonder...have they ever seen any? (Just kidding. I love those guys.) Anyway, I'm curious...what do you guys think? Do any women you know have magical boobs that defy physics?

Best Team Sports Game: NHL 10

They fixed the feed! Seeing a preview of Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands! Looks so cool! May 2010. And after seeing a preview of the film, I'm convinced that this is going to be the first time a video game has made it to the big screen and done it well. Still confused by Jake Gyllenhaal as an action hero, but hey, he's pretty. ;)

Best Performance by a Human Male: Hugh Jackman in X-Men Origins: Wolverine

I did a preview of this game a while back. One of the techs told me that he was totally into the game and would give them anything they needed, even if they called in the middle of the night. He also wanted to put in an Easter Egg with him in his fancy Broadway outfit. Would have been hysterical.

Don't know if it was this one, but it makes me grin.

Best Independent Game: Flower

Game was damn pretty. And it was actually something different. Imagine that.

Publishing this while Snoop Dog plays. Speakers are so loud it's rattling my innards.

Video Game Awards!!! Part 1

2009-12-12T17:05:00.001-08:00

Just got off the red carpet...still reeling. It was a crazy one. I got to interview Mark Hamill. He...dude, he's fucking Luke Skywalker! I don't get all that star struck, but I really can't help it this time. And he hugged me. Seriously, I'm a dork. I was so excited that I sent a text to my dad.

Mark Hamill and Tony Hawk. :)

Alright, in the press room. I'm giving you guys the winners here, so spoiler alert. Check out the nominees at Spiketv.com.

Best Voice: Jack Black as Eddie Riggs from Brutal Legends.

The man is wearing a crown and a royal robe. He was also the first on camera interview I ever did. Wait...that didn't sound right. They're dragging him off stage. Did you guys play the game? Do you love Tenacious D as much as I do?

Olivia Wilde is presenting an exclusive trailer for Tron the video game. But DUDE, they're not showing the trailers in the press room! What the hell? I'd love to hook you all up, but I guess you'll have to watch the show.

Best Action Adventure Game: Assassin's Creed 2

I still haven't played this. Arrgh! But hell, they're certainly promoting it.

Studio of the Year: Rock Steady Studios

Everyone is totally surprised! Press room is buzzing. No one thought they should win, I guess.

ARRRRRGGGGGH! They are showing a trailer of the new Star Wars game and we can't see!!!

More to come

Avatar Review, Scrubs #1 Intern and Why VM Messages Piss Me Off

2009-12-11T15:50:00.000-08:00

Alright. I saw AVATAR. Some of you have read my review (and my joke about blue penises). If you haven't here it is:

My AVATAR Review

I tried to be fair, but there were so many things about the story that bothered me. And still I'm telling you to see it. Why? The visuals have spoiled my eyes forever. It was absolutely beautiful. But...you know how Mom tells you not to put that expensive cashmere sweater on a wire hanger? Well, don't hang a beautiful CGI job on a crappy story! You lose me completely! (And you get funny hanger marks on the shoulders.)

And while I'm complaining...is anyone else tired of those long voice mail instructions?

"After the tone, please leave a message. When you have finished recording, hang up or press pound for more options. To leave a call back number, press 5."

"To leave a call back number..."? Who doesn't have caller ID? I'm calling your cell. You know where I'm calling from. "After the tone, please leave a message?" Yeah, see, I've had an answering machine for most of my life. I'm pretty sure I know how that works. Who wants to start a petition? Because that crap is clearly on there to waste minutes. Just saying.

Got to interview Michael Mosley from the new Scrubs this week as well. Are you guys watching it? What do you think of the new version? Michael tells me his tattoo is going to be a character in the show. It speaks. It may even sing. I want one.

Finishing up my nominations for the Critic's Choice Awards tonight. Who would you guys nominate? Tonight's line up? A Simple Man, Crazy Heart and It's Complicated.

Next post should have my video interview with the Jacksons...

Basterds, 500 Days of a Bitch and Tofurkey

2009-11-21T10:56:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone! I've been away from the blog for a while. Out of town set visits (I'm in Baton Rouge right now), shoots and holidays. No, I didn't eat tofurky, though I actually think it's yummy. Anyway, one of the things that happens at my house during this wonderful time of the year is the "Arrival of the Screeners". This is when I get to know which UPS and FedEx people have been fucking up deliveries and throwing packages at my door all year. Now they have no place to hide. They show up 1-3 times a day, they see me in my pajamas (come on, I work at home...you'd do it too) and they begin to feel guilty about their bad behavior. Or they think I have crazy eyes and fear my wrath. Not sure which.

Seriously, it's really good! Stop laughing.

Anyway, I've been catching up on movies and I thought I'd share my thoughts. This past week, I rewatched Inglourious Basterds. Damn, damn, damn I love that movie!!! It's still my best reviewed film of the year. (Click HERE for the review if you're interested.) Christoph Waltz gives an incredible performance. Seriously, if you miss this one, I'm coming over there and scalping you. Trust me, that makes sense if you see the movie.

(*note: Jenna will not come to your house and scalp you for legal reasons. She will merely rough you up via email.)

The amazing Christoph Waltz.

Truely, if he doesn't win an Oscar for this role, I'll eat my wireless mouse. I just got a chance to interview Christoph during a set visit for The Green Hornet and he couldn't have been cooler. I can't reveal anything about his role or what I saw there quite yet, but it just adds to the coolness, doesn't it? Doing a film like Hornet after Basterds?

The Green Hornet's car, Black Beauty. I just got to ride in this! I would really love a couple of those Gatling guns for my Honda. Not that I'd shoot them, you understand. I just think people would get the hell out of my way if they thought I would.

I also watched the critically acclaimed 500 Days of Summer this week. (Still amuses me to think that "critically acclaimed" sometimes includes me.) I didn't cover this one when it first came out and after hearing everyone gushing over it, I was excited to check it out. Now, you know I'm not a big fan of chick flicks. The Proposal was a total fluke. (Review is HERE...and it wasn't just because of Ryan Reynolds and his very pretty abs. I swear.)

Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in a chick flick. Sigh.

Listen, I appreciate that they tried to do something different here. It's not your typical girl movie. I actually like love stories. Don't get me wrong. I just don't like the formulaic boy-meets-girl, boy/girl-does-something-stupid, boy/girl's-crazy-friend/family-does-something-stupid, misunderstanding-is-cleared-up-in-a-clever-way-and-there-is-a-dog-or-an-old-person-who-reminds-us-all-what-is-important sort of film. So at least this was something different.

Here is my problem with it. Zooey's character has absolutely no redeeming qualities. (Other than her cuteness, which was pointed out to me by a fellow critic. A guy, of course.) Seriously, who would stay with someone like that? If the sexes were reversed, we'd call the girl a pathetic idiot. We'd say she needs therapy. Someone tells you that they have no interest in a relationship, they're not in love with you, they (SPOILER ALERT...JUMP TO NEXT PARAGRAPH IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT) quickly take up with someone else, wait for you in a park and tell you that they just needed someone else to be happy. You would slap them! Seriously, it's just plain mean.

Still my favorite love story of all time.

I spent the entire film waiting for her to change or for him to grow a pair and leave. There has to be someone out there who agrees. (I liked the musical number though.)

Anyway, gotta run. I have to get some food before we head off to the set. I'll post more of these micro reviews as I go through the stack of screeners. I'd love to hear your thoughts....

Finally, I just heard the worst local commercial in history and I had to share it with you. I'm sure it's a great college, but wow that music is bad! Check out the VIDEO.

A Gaggle of Geeky Goodness (and Mya)

2009-11-19T10:22:00.000-08:00

Sorry I didn't have time to blog the past two days. It's been a bit nutty. But boy do I have a list of geeky goodness for you, with more to come.

And by the way, if certain Twitter people don't like what a star says about a comic book, or thinks that said star is not correct, please take that up with the star. I'm just the messenger...don't shoot me, please.

Leonard Nimoy on Star Trek and "The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins".

He laughed! He didn't slap me or use the Vulcan nerve grip! I love him.

Mya on Dancing with the Stars

She had beds brought into the studio so she doesn't need to leave.

Roberto Orci Talks KHAN, Sequel Plans and Easter Eggs

He suggested having Spock play Nirvana on the harp in the sequel.

Review of BAD LIEUTENANT: PORT OF CALL NEW ORLEANS

Dude has CRAZY eyes!

Lindelof on STAR TREK 2 in 2012 and LOST hints on Season 5 DVD

I have to wait until fucking 2012 to see the next STAR TREK? Frak!

Karl Urban talks STAR TREK and PRIEST

He swears that Priest vamps have fangs.

Eliza Dushku Doesn't Expect to Play in the DOLLHOUSE Again

Damn it, I'm just telling you what she said!

J.J. Abrams on STAR TREK, MI4 and Sequels

I'm the one that suggested Greg Grunberg as a red shirt...so if it happens, you have me to thank. ;)

Star Trek red carpet pics, It's Always Sunny interviews and finally, my interview with Ming-Na

2009-11-17T11:31:00.000-08:00

Last night was one of the coolest ever for a geek chick like me. I got to attend the Star Trek DVD/Blu-ray release red carpet at the Griffith Observatory. And Spock was there! Both of them! I'll have a bunch of pieces coming up, but in the meantime, I have pics from the red carpet. (Scroll down to see!)

It doesn't look like this when I see it from my hike.

Sorry this one is short, but I've been typing up interviews all day. And an R.I.P piece for Ken Ober, the host of Remote Control who died yesterday at the age of 52. Sigh. It means I'm older than I like to admit, and that I once loved cheesy TV. (Check out the post in my Forces of Geek column "It's Geek to Me" HERE)

R.I.P. Ken Ober! Thanks for all the laughs...and the chips.

Huffington Post finally ran my interview with the lovely and surprisingly geeky Ming-Na. You know I'm always thrilled to find another girl geek. And I'm absolutely loving SGU. Check it out, and tell me what you think. (And I'm only telling you this because you're my friends, but I used to watch her way back when she was on As the World Turns. Don't tell anyone I was girly enough to watch soaps in the past. I had chicken pox for two weeks as a teen and I got hooked.)

Ming-Na used to play as an elf in Dungeons & Dragons!

I also had two pieces from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia run today. In the first, "'It's Always Sunny' When Danny DeVito is Naked On Christmas" we learn about their upcoming Xmas special, and about the naked elves and asses we'll get to see.

The cast of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Strangely enough, they cut the word "penis" from my article, but left in "dick towel". Huh.

In the second, "'It's Always Sunny...' Cast Picks the Weirdest Holiday Movies" I ask one of my weird questions, "What's the weirdest or worst Christmas movie you've ever seen?" Look, I worked in retail for years. Christmas makes me shudder. If I hear "Santa Baby" one more time, I'm going to slap the next guy dressed as Santa that I pass. Just saying.

Anyway, enjoy the pics. I'm spending the rest of the night prepping for a set visit. Can't tell you what yet, but I will as soon as they pull the gun away from my head. Night!

Karl Urban, "Bones" in Star Trek. And "Black Hat" in the upcoming film, Priest.

The man himself, JJ Abrams.

Spock in a cardigan. Not sure why that weirds me out.

Can't believe he was here!!!!

Zoe Saldana loves being a kick ass chick.

John Cho...I caught the poor dear with a strange expression. Not his fault I'm a sucky photog.

Spock Prime!!! And I didn't do the salute. I tried to play it cool.

Green Star Trek chicks.

Griffith Observatory, all Trekked out...I mean, decked out. ;)

JoBlo Movie Podcast, Win the Fight Club Blu-ray and The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins

2009-11-16T14:23:00.000-08:00

So my Saturday night was spent on my couch with some wine, a rabbit by my ear and the fantastic Johnny Moreno...alright, that part was over Skype. I was filling in for Jim Law on The Good, The Bad and the JoBlo Movie Podcast. (I hear other people go out on Saturday nights) I've been a guest before, but this time, I got to co-host. Poor, poor Moreno. We talked about how the Planet 51 aliens look like Sea Monkeys (Moreno thinks they look like the snot in that cold medicine commercial). I've promised to do a Sea Monkey segment if someone sends me some.

LISTEN HERE: Podcast #43

I also somehow managed to draw a parallel between Zombieland and The Road. I swear, it makes sense. Anyway, give it a listen and let me know what you think, OK? By the way, if you win the "caption this" contest (the link is in the intro), you get the Fight Club Blu-ray. Yes, I take bribes.

I'm leaving the Never Sleep Again set in a bit to head over to the Star Trek DVD/Blu-ray release red carpet. Fingers crossed that I get to talk to Nimoy. Or at least try to form a full sentence before hugging him.

Please, PLEASE tell you you've seen Leonard Nimoy's "Ballad of Bilbo Baggins". If you haven't, you can't be my friend until you watch it.

Ming-Na, It's Always Sunny, Freddy Kreuger and Heat/Snow Miser

2009-11-13T15:11:00.000-08:00

What a crazy day! Well, crazy since last night, when I hit the red carpet for...wait for it...it's a mouthful...It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: A Very Sunny Christmas direct to DVD and Blu-ray launch party. It comes out December 17th and will be chock full of Yuletide fun. Claymation elf penises, violent Charlie dances and Danny DeVito's naked ass. I'm serious. Danny told me that if "you like sweaty Italians naked" you're in for a treat. More pictures from the red...I mean, yellow carpet at the end of the post.

This morning, I got a chance to the super cool Ming-Na from Stargate Universe. You guys know how much I love the show. Well, it just gained even more geek points! Ming-Na is a fellow geek girl! As always, I'll post the link when it goes live, but in the mean time, here's why she is on my "Geek Chics Rule" Twitter list. She loves Star Wars AND Star Trek. (I thought I was the only one not participating in the hate war.) And she played Dungeons & Dragons! Any girl who has handled the 20-sided die is cool in my book. She says tonight's episode is going to blow your mind (even though she's not in it) and she asked me to tell you guys to drop her a line with your thoughts. Follow her on Twitter: @mingna

Finally, I'm back on the set of Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy doing makeup. And the legendary Robert Englund just walked in. While I was painting him, he told me that he has a bunch of plans for Fear Clinic. I'm hoping to chat with him about it for JoBlo...fingers crossed.

And just cause we talked about it on the red carpet last night, here are my favorite weird Christmas videos ever. Heat Miser and Snow Miser!

Check out the weirdness HERE.

You're welcome. ;)

Viggo Takes a Bath and Harry Hamlin's Hair

2009-11-12T11:25:00.000-08:00

Finally. Finally! My Viggo Mortensen interview is up on Huff Po! Take a look HERE. He talks about The Hobbit, how The Road has affected his art...and how he enjoys a hot bath. I swear to you, there was a legitimate reason for asking about that. I will not swear that I didn't enjoy the mental picture that conjured up. And it's a pretty detailed mental picture, since the man has been naked in most of his films.

So, what do you guys think of the teaser trailer for Clash of the Titans? (Check it out HERE if you haven't seen it yet.) I know there has been a lot of talk on Twitter about the cheesiness, and yeah, I agree it was a pretty badly cut trailer with some silly prog rock (and I happen to like prog rock...go ahead and mock...let me take a look at your iPod) but isn't that kind of the point? I love the original in all it's craptastic glory. I mean, Harry Hamlin's hair alone is worth another viewing.

Seriously, look at that! There just aren't enough words to describe...anyway, I'm totally fine with the trailer cheesiness. I'm not expecting Citizen Kane here. Maybe it's just me, but I do not require brilliance from every film or television show I see. I don't always care if the script so good it needs to be bronzed or the 3D makes me feel like I'm right there in the middle of the forest with the blue creatures. Sometimes, I just want to have fun watching a film. I mean, I loved Death Race. No, I'm not kidding. Yeah it was bad, but they drove over power ups and Joan Allen says, "shit on the pavement"! Genius.

Just adding in this photo because the rabbit made me laugh this morning. Happy Thursday!

The lovely and talented Viggo Mortensen, and Scott Wolf might be an alien

2009-11-09T11:43:00.000-08:00

On Friday night, I saw a screening of The Road. I never read the book, but I think I might have to now. The embargo is still up, so here is all I can tell you, pre-review. I was really affected by what I saw. I had a very specific opinion about it immediately afterward. And a completely different one the next day. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. I'm viewing the world a bit differently today. And that's all I'll say for now. I don't want the studio to send out the assassins.

Viggo Mortensen is pretty, even covered in dirt.

Saturday, I got to interview the star of the film, Viggo Mortensen. I have to say, it's always a wonderful thing to find out that someone that good looking is actually a cool guy. I sat in on the round table interviews, and Viggo walked in with a tray of snacks. He also said that he read the script and the book on the same day. I cannot comprehend how he kept from shooting himself i the head...if you know the story, you'll understand. During our one on one (yes, I was alone in a hotel room with Viggo Mortensen)!, he was incredibly forthcoming and very sweet. I am pleased to report, I did not drool on his feet. It will be up on The Huffington Post soon. I promise many pretty pictures.

By the way, he is NOT retiring! See Twitter/Facebook buds? I read all your questions. And you'll have to read the interview to see what he says about The Hobbit.

I also got a chance to interview Scott Wolf this morning. I never watched Party of Five, but I do love the guy. Plus, he did four episodes of Saved by the Bell. He told me that he's not sure his character in V is not an alien! The actors have no idea. Kind of makes me want to watch it more, knowing that there aren't going to be a ton of foreshadowing moments I'm supposed to be taking notes on.

Keeping this short today so I can get those interviews up for you. Plus, I'm back on the Never Sleep Again set today and the elusive Mark Patton is coming in! He's been found! I'm not kidding. We have shirts that say so! I'll post pics, I promise.

Amanda Tapping, Misha Collins, 2012 Prophecy, and a Battle Cat

2009-11-06T13:03:00.000-08:00

This morning, I interviewed the lovely Amanda Tapping. Seriously, this woman couldn't be nicer. Not only is she talented, (if you aren't watching Sanctuary, I'm coming right over there and berating you soundly) and a pleasure to talk to, but she's just started up a charity website called Sanctuary for Kids. It's a not for profit foundation that "serves to provide sanctuary for children who do not live with the right of safety in their lives." (I'm quoting from the site.) I'll have all the info when our interview goes up on Huff Po early next week, but in the meantime, please check out the website: sanctuaryforkids.org. Amanda told me that she and Sanctuary creator/producer Damian Kindler have donated all the start up costs, so every cent you donate goes straight to the kids. You can follow the site on Twitter @sanctuary4kids. They're auctioning off a Sanctuary set tour and lunch with Amanda and Damian.

Sanctuary airs Fridays at 10/9c on SYFY. I will be parked on my couch. Tonight's episode sounds amazing!

In other news, my interview with Supernatural's angelic Misha Collins is finally up on The Huffington Post! Did you guys catch last night's episode? Their CSI spoof cracked me the hell up! Check it out HERE. Misha was a blast to speak to, as usual. The guys is seriously funny! He's got a big face off with Lucifer coming up. He also mentioned a few angelic drinking games.

And last, but not least, the 2012 prophecy. As I mentioned a few posts ago, I covered the red carpet for the premiere of 2012. I asked a bunch of the cast and crew if they believed. Their answers are up on Popeater today. "2012 Stars on Doomsday Prophecy"

And the cat picture? It made me laugh so hard I had to redo my eyeliner. Couldn't resist putting it up. Happy Friday everyone!

Morena Baccarin, Cassidy Freeman, Kelly Osbourne, Misha Collins, and I Heart Freelance...Sometimes

2009-11-05T09:10:00.000-08:00

It's true. I'm trying to take over the world...I mean, internet. Mwah ha ha! I'm happy to announce that my first piece went up on Newsarama.com this morning!

Sending a shout out to the very awesome Maurice LaMarche aka The Brain!

Look, I want to know what each paycheck is going to look like, just like everyone else, but I have to say, writing for so many sites has been an unbelievably helpful experience. It's given me the opportunity to learn so many different things, work with people I might never have met and write in different styles. I'm sure both my landlord and my dad would be happy to hear that I was working in one place, and I'm quite certain many of you have heard me complain about the life of a freelancer, but I just wanted to take a moment to talk about the positive side of it all. I'm lucky to be doing something I love and believe me, I don't take it for granted.

Whew! So here are today's interviews:

Up on Newsarama today is my interview with Smallville's Cassidy Freeman. She gives us some info on her role in the infamous JSA episodes and whether or not we'll see her throw down with Lois anytime soon.

On Popeater, we have my interview with Kelly Osbourne and her Dancing With the Stars partner, Louis Van Amstel. Boy, this was a rough one to schedule. But after years of musical theater, I totally get how important rehearsal is. I finally caught up to them late last night. Not sure what I was expecting, but they were wonderful to talk to. Kelly was completely open about how much this experience has changed her as a person.

Also on Popeater, my V interview with...wait for it Firefly fans...Morena Baccarin! As I said on Twitter, she couldn't have been nicer if she was coated in sugar. Seriously, she answered all of my questions, including the ones about production changes and her haircut. By the way, oh Dr. Horrible minions...she would LOVE to be in the sequel! She loves Joss and told me she would "do anything that man says."

Hoping to have my Misha Collins-Supernatural interview up on Huffington Post later today. I'll post when it goes live.

Well, I have officially geeked out in every way possible today...maybe no video game posts, but I'm going to give the typing fingers a rest tonight and play a little World of Warcraft...at least until I have to prep for tomorrow's interview with Amanda Tapping. ;)

John Cusack actually answers questions and The Dark Knight's Chin Han wants to sing!

2009-11-04T13:38:00.000-08:00

I'm seriously going to need finger bandages after today! I have two more pieces for you...this time from my new outlet, Popeater!

I got a couple of good interviews on the 2012 red carpet last night. Popeater just ran two of them. First, Mr. Excitement, John Cusack. Um, I've said it before, but he's kind of notorious for being a difficult interview. I interviewed him for Igor, and I certainly found that to be the case. (Check out the video interviews HERE. Eddie Izzard is a freaking riot!) Last night, he actually smiled! SMILED! Huh. Anyway, here is the link to last night's interview:

John Cusack: Hollywood is Obsessed with Everything

The surprise of the night was Chin Han. He's been in two American films, and the lucky guy gets The Dark Knight and 2012. When I asked him how he's going to top that, he said he wants to do a musical! The guy is funny!

2012 Star Hopes the World Doesn't End

OK..back to typing...

Kings of Horror and Princes of Persia (and shots from the 2012 red carpet)

2009-11-04T09:56:00.000-08:00

Doing so much typing today that this evening's sit ups are going to feel like a relaxing coffee break.

The lovely and talented Misha Collins-Castiel in Supernatural.

Interviews with Misha Collins from Supernatural and Cassidy Freeman from Smallville on the schedule today...and if I'm really lucky, I'll finally get that Kelly Osbourne/Louis Van Amstel Dancing with the Stars interview that has been rescheduled a zillion times this week. I haven't watched last night's show yet, so I have no idea if they've been eliminated...I'll keep you posted!

The also lovely and talented Cassidy Freeman-Tess in Smallville.

Two pieces to announce today. First, I got to interview Jerry Bruckheimer for JoBlo.com (with a group of other reporters) about the just released Prince of Persia trailer. Click here to read it. You can also watch the trailer. I'm afraid to jinx it, but this looks like a video game that may actually work as a film! (Don't worry...I'm knocking wood and throwing salt over my left shoulder while I'm typing this.)

Ladies, this is for you...as if Misha wasn't enough.

As you guys know, I'm still doing makeup for Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy. And today, my interview with directors Andrew Kasch and Daniel Farrands, and producer Thommy Hutson (three super cool guys!) went up on Arrow in the Head. Check it out here.

Andrew Kasch, Gloria Martel, the legendary John Saxon, Thommy Hutson, Dan Farrands and Buz Danger Wallick...and me.

So last night, I spent my evening on the red carpet for the upcoming disaster flick, 2012. More info later on what everyone had to say, but in the meantime, here are a few pics from the event. Mickey Rooney was there! I have no idea why, but awww...

Mickey Rooney and his wife!

Director Rolland Emmerich told me his favorite city to destroy was Los Angeles. Here's some red carpet destruction.

Horror goddess Staci Layne Wilson!

The beautiful Thandie Newton...didn't talk to any of us. Everyone always gets there late and then they rush them into the premiere.

No, you're not seeing things. This is indeed Adam Lambert from American Idol. He did a song on the soundtrack. And he's shiny.

Beatrice Rosen, another casualty of being "fashionably late".

Mr. Excitement himself, John Cusack. Not a big fan of doing press. I interviewed him for Igor last year. Cusack is the kind of one word answers, but he loved my last one. "Who would win in a fight? Nick Nolte with a box cutter or Gary Busey with a sock full of quarters?" Yes, I used to have to ask everyone that!

The adorable Morgan Lily messing with costars Alexandre and Philippe Haussmann.

I review The Fourth Kind

2009-11-03T14:53:00.001-08:00

I love alien movies. And anyone who follows me on Twitter knows how much I loved The Fourth Kind. I thought I was going in to see a Blair Witch rip off. What I saw was an incredibly entertaining film that actually fooled me for quite some time.

I say it in the review, but it bears repeating. I'm so tired of critics saying movies that try to pull the wool over your eyes are stupid and that audiences are far too sophisticated to buy it. Listen, when I see a magician saw a woman in half, I'm pretty damn sure he's not committing a homicide in front of me. It's still fun! (By the way, I'm also pretty sure my dad didn't really pull a quarter out of my ear when I was a kid. I still got to keep the quarter.)

Anyway, here is the link to my review of The Fourth Kind on The Huffington Post. Let me know what you think when you see it. (I'm still waking up at 3:33 am on the dot because of this film.)

I was a Ghost Hunter for a day!

2009-11-02T14:20:00.000-08:00

I am so lame. I spent Halloween night reviewing movies and watching television. Freelance means that most of my social interaction involves avatars and typing. Anyway, I spent the scariest night of the year watching the Ghost Hunters 5 scariest episodes. Aside from keeping me awake all night, it reminded me of the time I hunted ghosts with the team.

I'm not kidding! I actually got to hunt with Jason, Grant, Steve and Tango! Last year, the SyFy Channel (oh wait...it was still Sci Fi back then) flew a bunch of us up to the Stanley Hotel in Colorado (yes, that's the Shining hotel!) to check out their upcoming shows for the season. At the end of the night, the TAPS team took groups of us out to see if we could scare ourselves up some ghosties.

Creepiest hotel EVER!

I don't know about you guys, but I'm a big skeptic. I always think people are trying to fool me. Buuut, I do think there is something out there that is unexplainable. No reason not to believe that ghosts exist.

We started with Grant and Jason in a hotel room in the dark (sounds kind of dirty, no?). Through a series of yes and no questions, and some blinking equipment, we found out that the spirit in the room used to work in the hotel, and really, really liked the ladies. He told us that he used to spy on the female inhabitants of the hotel room from the closet. Each of the female reporters got to hang with him in there. When I closed the door, I could swear it got colder. And the cold felt like it was moving up my back like a hand...damn it! Now I'm going to have to sleep with the light on again.

Grant and Jason during the day's interviews.

Next, we walked down a haunted hotel hallway. I didn't feel anything right away, but as we found out, there was a presence. The TAPS team member said, "If anyone is here with us, can you give us a sign?" As if on cue, the honeymooning couple in one of the rooms started moaning passionately! We barely made it out of there before cracking up hysterically!

The infamous moaning couple hallway.

Finally, we ended up in a tiny little hotel room, supposedly one of the most haunted in the hotel. The light from the moon was pretty bright, so we could definitely see clearly. I was sitting on the bed with one other person in full sight. Everyone else was on the floor. And all of a sudden, something flicked my earring! We checked the windows. No drafts. Magnets wouldn't have worked. The earrings are silver. I have no idea if it was the ghost of the little girl who supposedly haunts that room or if there was some elaborate trickery. (I really, really want to believe it was the ghost.) All I know is, it swung! Coolest thing ever.

Later on, Amanda Tapping from Stargate and Sanctuary joined the group as we explored the old performance hall. (It was still set up from the day's wedding...might have been our moaners.) We got to play with equipment, and wander the basement where a homeless woman apparently died. This year at Comic Con, I got to chat with Tapping for a bit. While talking about our shared Ghost Hunters experience, I asked her if she believed. "Oh, absolutely, I absolutely believe in it. There are forces at work in our world we don't understand. And maybe we shouldn't. Maybe that's part of the beauty of mystery. I love the fact that there are mysterious things and the unexplained, and people try so hard scientifically to explain it. But maybe it just shouldn't be. I love that. I often feel like there are spirits around that are protecting me. I know when my eldest brother passed away, I kept knowing that he was around. I knew he was there. And he would manifest in different ways. This will make me sound totally hokey, but I absolutely believe."

Me with the super-nice Amanda Tapping!

Me too.

I know this is random, but we got a few gifts when we got to the hotel. A Ghost Hunters sweatshirt that my husband took from me, (OK, fine, I gave it to him.) a flashlight, (makes sense) a compass (um...why?) and a giant pocket knife (because I was going to, what...stab the ghosts?)

2009-10-30T11:29:00.000-07:00

Today, when the OTHER Jenna Bus(c)h Googles her name, she's going to get MY stuff! ;)

A bunch of stuff went up this morning! I know a bunch of you have seen this already, but the Hawkman part of my interview with the awesome (and smokin') Michael Shanks went up on Huffington Post! He reveals juicy, geeky details about his costume, weapons and what sort of role playing he did as a kid.

Michael Shanks Interview

Some of you know I do a video segment for the JoBlo Movie Show called "Geek Stuff". Well, this week, it's a bit of a stretch...I'm drinking for science! This week, I taste test Halloween-themed booze (I do this all for you) and paint my face a strange blue.

JoBlo Movie Show...my segment is about 5 1/2 minutes in.

In other JoBlo news, I have links to the Q&A for Gentlemen Broncos, the new offering from Jared Hess, the man behind Napoleon Dynamite.

Gentlemen Broncos Q&A

Aaand, if you want to know what I actually thought about it, check out my review. I tried to be kind...

Gentlemen Broncos Review

Finally, I ended up getting another day of work on Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy. We just had Jsu Garcia and David Newsom! Damn, I love my job!

Michael Shanks talks SGU, Santuary and Twitter

2009-10-29T13:43:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Got some good stuff for you Michael Shanks fans! And if my Twitter feed is to be believed, there are TONS of you out there. I'm certainly included in the ranks! The main part of our interview was about his upcoming appearance on Smallville as the Justice Society member with gravity-defying Nth metal wings, Hawkman. (I'll link as soon as it goes live.)

But Shanks gave me some great info on his Stargate Universe appearances, his opinion about the show and his upcoming role on Sanctuary. You guys get to check it out before it goes up on The Huffington Post. He also mentioned that, if he looses a bet with his wife...you might actually see him on Twitter!

So, you're appearing on Stargate Universe...

I did a brief cameo in the pilot and I've shot a couple of episodes, I think episode nine, called “Human” and then one near the end of their run...I think it's the eighteenth episode of the season.

I love the show. What do you think of it? It's really different...

It is different. I mean, it's a completely different taste palate than the previous Stargate incarnations. It's more realistic. The characters are much more dimensionalized. The visual of it is far more aesthetically pleasing and stunning. The camera work is more interesting. The visual effects are amazing. I mean, we had some great visual effects on SG-1. But these are just feature as far as I'm concerned. From the shots I've seen. The acting is wonderful. The actors are really commiting. You can tell. And there's some wonderfully drawn characters there.

I just had a little...I just watched the first three episodes, and I just had a little issue with some of the drama. I felt it was somewhat forced, and I just mean from the perspective of...the characters come across more...in order to create the tension, the mistrust, or the angst between some of the characters, it seems to lack logic, where the arguments have come across sometimes as, like, petulant children, not responsible adults engaged in discussions about actual issues. The was that, when they were squabbling over something simple, the voices seemed to be a little more heightened for the sake of creating drama than they should be, as opposed to how people would react more in that kind of situation to another adult as opposed to yelling at you because it says we're supposed to be yelling at each other.

I had a little problem with that aspect of the drama, but again, I am not the expert because I've not sat down and watched every episode. I've seen aspects of the first three and the later part of, I believe, "Light". So, again, I was blown away by the physical aspects of the show and really transported. When I watch it, I'm really transported to the world that they've created. It's really three-dimensionalized. I'm just not quite buying all of the mistrust elements and the tension elements just yet. But I think they're one strong story from hooking me and turning the corner on that. And I've also found that I haven't quite gotten attached to the characters as much as I probably should be. But that might be intentional as well. They're much more dimensionalized therefore, they're not completely likable, they're not completely unlikable. And there's a little bit of mystery to it. So it keeps you coming back saying, 'where are they going with this'. That's not a bad thing. Dole it out slowly. So yeah, I've liked it for the most part, but I've just had some issues with some of the creation of the drama.

So you're going to be guest starring on Sanctuary, right? (You're on all my favorite shows.)

Yes. My speech therapist...we had a little sit down and he told me that, in order to get past my fear of the letter "S" I may only appear on shows that start with the letter "S" so I can build up my resistance to it. So yes.

[Laughs]

Smallville, Stargate, Sanctuary. I'm looking for some others. If you can reccomend any other shows that start with "S" that I could pitch myself out to that would be great. But yeah, Sanctuary.
Have you filmed the episode yet?

Oh yeah, I filmed it in June I believe.

Really?

April, May...I don't remember. It's been a hell of a year. [Laughs] We used part of the Watchmen backlot, which was a three block cityscape that they built for Watchmen. So there's this beautiful standing set in the middle of Burnaby (Vancouver) that has some great exteriors for, I think it's episode nine. I think. I may be completely off base with that. But yeah, I play a character called Jimmy. "Jimmy the Pouch". [Laughs] Or as I call him, "Jimmy the Pooch". He has a strong interaction with and a similar background with the new character called Kate Freelander, played by Agam Darshi on the show, and has a history with Helen Magnus, played by Amanda Tapping (his former co-star on SG-1). We kind of toy with that a little. But most of the scenes I have are with Agam Darshi.

I actually drove past that set when I was on a set visit for another film up in Vancouver. I didn't get to stop, but it looked really cool!

Yeah, it's pretty nifty, I have to say. I didn't know that on the Smallville lot, they've got a block and a half of Metropolis built on their back lot...it's really neat to discover these things in Vancouver. [Laughs] I've lived here for a large portion of the last twenty years and I haven't seen a lot of this stuff. So it's really neat.

A bunch of my Twitter followers asked where your wife is on Twitter, and want to know when you're getting on there.

Oh, uh, never. That's that one. Let's get that out of the way. Michael Shanks twittering is not going to happen. Let's just go down that road. [Laughs] Although apparently I might. I made a bet with my wife and she had to choose what I would have to do if I lost the bet. She said, because she knows how much I don't like the notion of twittering, if I lose, I have to twitter for a week. So that will be probably be the only way you will catch me twittering. I'm just not that guy. [Laughs] But she is. I don't know. I don't keep track of her twittering...I don't know what you call it. [Laughs]

Tweets? [Laughs]

When she's doing it I walk by and roll my eyes. That's my twenty cents. I'm sure all the true twitters and the true fans of Twitter are going to look at me and go, 'you're a bonehead'. [Laughs]

Well, your official website twitters...

Yes, they do a lot of that kind of stuff. I'm trying to take a step back from my direct involvement in online kind of stuff. I find it to be a dark and murky place where there are a lot of drive by opinion makers [Laughs] who escape into the night without being accountable for their words and I'm not a big fan of that. So I attempt to keep my distance from the direct online interaction.

I totally understand...I've has some issues...

Yeah, that's the thing. I guess if you put it in proper perspective it really doesn't matter, but in terms of, I've got young kids and stuff like that. My daughter is getting into the internet aspect of things, and is online on a regular basis, and does read some certain things. She will poke around and look at certain things. And I don't want her to see that kind of crap. It's going to be there anyway, so I'm not going to worry about it. That's what happens when you're a little bit in the public eye, or stick your neck out there, but it's the aspect of sticking your neck out there and placing myself in those situations. I'm just not terribly interested in doing that at this juncture. I've got better things to do. [Laughs]

Ketchup is Evil and My Pills Tell Me What to Do

2009-10-28T11:55:00.000-07:00

Do any of you remember the commercial that told us condiments were evil? I was wandering around YouTube the other day and rewatched a few of my favorites. My Facebook friends have seen me post a few of these, but they're worth a second viewing.

(Links below the pictures. And feel free to blame me for your fucked up dreams tonight.) ;)

"Don't Drown Your Food"

I know salad dressing can be high in calories, but really, was condiment abuse a hot button issue back then? Can you imagine the meeting? "It's terrible the way kids abuse mustard these days. It's becoming an epidemic! A-1 Sauce is invading our schools! We must stop it! Destroy the ketchup! Stop the madness!" This was the issue you thought needed attention? And to make your point, you have cute animated food drowning in sauce? All that did was make me want to name a potato Henry and keep him as a pet. Hey, people did it with rocks...

"Make a Saturday"

This one tried to convince kids to make an ice cream Sunday without the ice cream! Make it with fruit...but in the shape of a Sunday. Let's call it a "Saturday" so it's still lots o' fun! Dude, what the fuck? By the way, the thing looks pretty phallic to me.

"Hanker for a Hunk of Cheese"

Yeah, salad dressing is evil, but full fat cheese is just great for you. And did you catch the visuals? "When my ten-gallon hat is feeling five-gallon flat..." Um, I'm sorry to bring this up again, but it looks like a penis. Watch it again and tell me I'm wrong. Not sure cheese has the same effect as Viagra, but give it a shot if you're so inclined. Let me know how that works out for you.

"This is Serious" (Singing Pills)

This is my hands down favorite. Singing pill puppets telling you that they're not candy. Um, if things in your medicine cabinet are singing to you, your problems are a bit beyond a PSA.

"Don't Put it in Your Mouth"

Is this why people become Furries?

Do you guys have favorite PSA's? Send me some links so I can marvel at the stupidity of the eighties.

Flash Forward's Sonya Walger, Slutty Game Pirates and Breast Physics

2009-10-27T09:41:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to announce that I'm going to be doing some writing for AOL's Popeater.com! (My landlady, the cable company and AT&T are also rather pleased. It seems that bartering cows and tomatoes is no longer an acceptable payment practice.)

So, for my first post, I managed to score an interview with Sonya Walger, who plays Dr. Olivia Benford on Flash Forward. Are you guys watching this? I really, really hesitated. The last thing I wanted was to watch another show that requires cliff notes and someone geekier than me to explain it all...but I finally caved. Walger tells me whether or not she hesitated when asked to take on a "mystery show" after Lost, a sneak peek at Thursday's episode and whether or not she's like a glimpse into her future.

Click on the link to check out our interview.

Finally, I went trick or treating in Azeroth last night. Oh stop laughing. You can actually do that in World of Warcraft this week! The innkeepers can either give you a treat or turn you into something. The other day I was turned into a bat and a frog. Last night I got a candy bar. My buddy Chad got a pirate wand...he turned me into a slutty pirate with some serious cleavage. She looks something like this:

Seems like it might be a bit difficult to fight with those things. ;) I swear, there will be a post about video game breast physics in the near future. (Please note, I am NOT offended by boobs in video games anymore than I'm offended by guys with comically huge muscles. I just think it might be a little difficult to keep these things from falling out while fighting.)

I want to know what tape she's using to hold those things in!

Damn Aliens Woke Me at 3:33 am Again

2009-10-26T12:16:00.000-07:00

Alright. I admit it. No matter how logical I think I am, an itty bitty little part of me has a fear of aliens. I'm probably never going to come across Bigfoot in the woods. Highly unlikely that I'm going to meet a Yeti while hiking in Los Angeles. I can usually explain away any little things that go bump in the night. But aliens? Well, I suppose it's not outside the realm of possibility. I mean, there are plenty of planets out there. Thundera could be one of them, right?

Love Cheetara...except for the episode where she got all fluttery about finding gold. Of course the chick wanted to make it into a necklace. Harumph.

So after waking up at 3:33 am for the 4th morning in a row, I am forced to admit my secret fear of aliens. I guess if a planet full of people can brave space traffic to fly all the way over here, they'd probably have a way to do some secret anal probing.

Now, I'm not saying that I think they've been here. I'm just saying that their existence is not outside the realm of possibility. So here's the thing. (Please understand, I was awake until 2 am, and woke up early to interview Sonya Walger for Flash Forward...her shows are chock full of conspiracies. I'm sleep deprived and therefore may sound like complete nutter...you've been warned.) If I were an alien, and really, how do you know I'm not, I'd skip this planet. We're kind of idiots here.

Either you're going to scare us to death, or we're going to annoy you until you leave. (Or make you live in shacks and call you prawns. Baaaad District 9!)

So, the reason I keep waking up at 3:33 am? I just saw The Fourth Kind last week. If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I loved it. The embargo hasn't lifted yet, so I can't tell you much. I'll simply say, you must see this film! It rocked! Check out the trailer link below. I promise I'll post my review as soon as it goes live.

Click on the link to check out the trailer and TV spots.

In other alien news, the re-imagining of V airs November 3rd. Despite reports of production problems and the decision to run four episodes, then take it off the air until next year, I'm looking forward to this. I have been for a while. In fact, when I interviewed original V cast members Mark Singer and Robert Englund a while back, I had to ask them about the upcoming show. (Click on the links to check out the interviews.)

Are you guys excited for the V? Do you think Morena Baccarin makes a convincing alien? Do you care at all? Are you going to see The Fourth Kind? Can you tell I spent a good portion of last night testing Halloween-themed alcohol for the JoBlo Movie Show? (Dead Guy Ale, dude. You have to get some!)

My Dollhouse Preview, interview with Salma Hayek and Elm Street

2009-10-23T08:41:00.000-07:00

It's an odd mix this morning, my geeky buds. This is why freelance makes puppies cry...

First up today, my preview of Friday's Dollhouse.

I got a chance to check out the next two episodes of the Eliza Dushku fashion show. (I'm sorry...see below) I'm sure you've all heard that we'll have to wait until December 4th to see the second one. According to the Futon Critic, Fox has benched the show for sweeps. Baaad sign, Whedonites. Here's my article on why you MUST watch this Friday's episode, "Belonging". M.U.S.T. Dichen Lachman is awesome. If this episode had been the first of the season, the show would be rocking instead of floundering.

The lady who might save Dollhouse!

I've also seen the Dec. 4th episode with geek goddess Summer Glau. She plays a crazy tech chick with a vendetta against Echo. Look, I hope she and Dichen can save the show. And not just because I love me some Joss Whedon. I think the show has great potential. I really do. I just think that it should be more of an ensemble. Eliza has tons of talent, but she really shines in kick-assery and seduction. Keep her there and let the other dollies do more. Audiences can spot a "vehicle" a mile away, and if comments on the net are to be believed, they have.

Next my final post on Cirque du Freak. Check out m y video interview with the lovely Salma Hayek. She's magic wrapped in candy, but she was clearly exhausted during the interview. She does get really excited about the upcoming Shreck spin off, Puss in Boots. More excited about an animated cat than a bearded lady. Hmmm...

And sadly, it's my last day on the set of Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy...Andres Jones today, btw.

Andras Jones-Rick Johnson in A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master

I've had an amazing time, and I'll be updating the photo album as the actors come in today. I promised to give a shout out to super cool Cimematographer Buz Wallick. He tells me he is a creepy guy in a beard. (Absolutely NOT creepy.) Seriously, everyone has been amazing! And producer Thommy Hutson told me he's going to call me in if they get Dokken. \m/ (If you don't know that particular emoticon, you won't get why that makes me so happy.)

Buz "Danger" Wallick, the creepy beard guy!

Side note: I lost my battle with craft services and surrendered to the strawberry doughnut. Hey, if you're going down in flames, make it spectacular!

John C. Reilly Has Super Spit

2009-10-22T10:17:00.000-07:00

Check out the second of my Cirque Du Freak interviews for JoBlo. (Salma Hayek will be up tomorrow) John C. Reilly plays Larten Crepsley, the vampire mentor to the teenage Darren Shan. Like the Twilight vamps, these blood suckers don't have fangs. But happily, they do NOT resemble disco balls in the sun. (They do have super spit. I want super spit. And their ability to flit would be handy in LA traffic.)

Saw this shot online and it cracked me up.

The super-mellow Reilly tells me about Cirque's vampire mythology, the war against the Vampanese (read the books...it's far cooler than it sounds) and what he's got coming up next.

The 1st of my Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant Interviews: Chris Massoglia

2009-10-21T10:17:00.001-07:00

Last year I got to visit the set of Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant in New Orleans. It was a crazy trip that involved a bar called the "Dungeon" and me reading everyone's tarot cards in my room at 4:30 am. Here's what I learned from the trip: John C. Reilly is a riot, I would love to live on this set and beignets are an excellent cure for a hangover.

Check out my video interview with Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant star Chris Massoglia. I asked the poor dear what he did to get beads thrown at him during Mardi Gras.

(And check out the movie poster behind my shoulder. Looks like Twilight, no?)

Video Game Stocks Down...Duh!

2009-10-20T13:39:00.001-07:00

I write for a site called Forces of Geek. It's a blast, they let me write about whatever geeky little thing is making my heart beat faster this week. I love them.

This morning, I was reading Google News and I read a story about how video game stocks are down. I mentioned it to a few friends and looked up some reaction on the web. Everyone seemed to be surprised by this. Really? Really? I went digging in my closet and found my soap box hidden behind some old shoes. Climbing on it now:

Video Game Stocks are Down...Wanna Guess Why?

Check out my post for Forces of Geek and let me know if you agree. (Plus, I found some funny video game pics that I hope make you giggle.)

Hodge Podge: The Final Cylon, Cirque Du Freak, Wil Wheaton, Freddy Krueger, and Doing Makeup for "Never Sleep Again"

2009-10-19T11:10:00.000-07:00

This weekend was as crazy as Gnome on a Robot Chicken. (I play a LOT of World of Warcraft.) I spent Saturday live blogging from the Spike TV Scream Awards, and yesterday writing up all the stories I got from the red carpet...and cleaning all the fake snow they dumped on us out of my keyboard. So for this Monday's post, I have a bit of a wrap up. And some info on what bizarro project I'm taking a five minute break from today.

Seriously, you can ride this in the game. How are you not playing yet?

First off, Kate Vernon. I interviewed her for IGN and Huffington Post before the series finale of Battlestar Galactica. Both interviews were on the phone and took place a few days from each other, so we actually got to chat a bit. This woman rocks. Her performance as Ellen Tigh was a tour de force, and she's a lovely person to boot. I finally got to meet her in person on the red carpet, where she told me that, though she'd love to do more Battlestar movies, it isn't looking likely. “There's no buzz about it, no,” she said. “I was sad about it. I'm sad, you know. I loved my role. Ellen Tigh is an amazing role. I'm game, if Ron (Moore) wants to bring it back. It's got a few takers, for sure. And a built in audience, for sure. So we'll see.” Here's hoping. Again, it allows me to continue using the word "frak".

Love, love, love her final BSG episodes! If you haven't watched the show, I'm coming to your house, tying you down, and popping in the DVD. Don't worry. I'm harmless...::cough, cough::.

Next, we have Wil Wheaton guest starring on tonight's episode of The Big Bang Theory. Wesley Crusher, dude! I love STNG! I know the original series is classic, but Star Trek: The Next Generation is still my favorite. Tonight, the famously nice Wheaton plays a mean version of himself. Here's the link to my article.

I loved him in Stand By Me. But I loved River Phoenix even more. Sigh.

As I've posted before, I love Jackie Earle Haley. He's the coolest guy, and he's been incredibly nice every time I've interviewed him. (Here's the most recent one.) I got a chance to chat with him on the red carpet Saturday night and he gave me some good info. First, he debunked the rumors that he's playing Sinestro in the upcoming Green Lantern movie. But, he may still do it...check it out here. He also gave me the scoop on the Freddy Krueger makeup, which I'm particularly interested in. (Read on to find out why.)

How can someone so sweet in person be so fucking bad ass on film?

My review of Cirque Du Freak went up today as well. I really wanted to love this one. And I did have a good time. I just wanted more from it. The problem for me was not the story. I loved the books and it translated well. It wasn't the actors. John C. Reilly cracked me up. (I'll link to our video interview as soon as it posts, but in the meantime, here's our set visit interview.) It was all about the editing. I'd be interested to hear what you guys think after you see it.

Sooo, hot or not? Salma Hayek in a beard.

Finally, my crazy day on the set of Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy. As some of you know, I've been a makeup artist for 15 years. (Some of my weirder stuff is in my Facebook album.) The lovely Staci Layne Wilson suggested me for this gig. And it's been amazing!!! I've gotten to meet a ton of actors from the Elm Street films, and paint their lovely faces. Everyone has been extra cool. David J. Schow (dude, he wrote The Crow and the Masters of Horror episode "We All Scream for Ice Cream". Clowns scare the crap out of me.) even let me wear the Freddy glove.

I've never been happier.

Directors Andrew Kasch (His Name Was Jason: 30 Years of Friday the 13th) and Daniel Farrands (The Haunting in Connecticut) Producer Thommy Hutson (His Name Was Jason: 30 Years of Friday the 13th), Cinematographer Buz Wallick (Thirsty) who asked me to give him a shout out, and Production Manager/Jill of All Trades Annette Ashlie Slomka have been incredible to work with. Plus, they fed me Pringles all day. I'm totally addicted. I've managed to resist the donuts, but that's only a matter of time.

Here is a link to some shots from the shoot. Some good juicy stuff from the interviews...but, of course, I'm sworn to secrecy. I'll be interviewing Dan, Andrew and Thommy soon, so I'll see what info they'll let me reveal.

So, which Elm Street film was your fav? Are you looking forward to the new one? Are you seeing Cirque Du Freak? Do you watch Big Bang Theory? I actually do want to know all this. Drop me a line!

I'm Casting Cameos for Joss Whedon. Kinda. Sorta.

2009-10-18T13:39:00.000-07:00

Yup. I'm a Joss Whedon fan. It kind of goes with the whole "I'm a geek and geekiness is cool" thing. But honestly, I've seen everything he's ever done. Firefly, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Dr. Horrible's Sing-along Blog. I've read all his comic books...I even watch Dollhouse. (Fingers crossed, but I'm not holding out much hope for a third season. Sigh.) I've been lucky enough to interview him a few times, and he is just as funny as the characters he creates. Hell, when I asked him if I could have the keys to a shiny new Australia (a reference you'll get if you've seen Dr. Horrible), he told me I could be the Queen of Australia! He provides me with constant entertainment, and he's decreed my royalty. So I'm happy to help him out in any way I can. Which includes casting.

Please note, I'm totally kidding about all of this. Whedon clearly has no casting issues and most certainly has never asked me for my opinion. I'm just a big ole fan. But, during interviews, I have been asking everyone remotely related to his work if they'd do a cameo or a role in any of his current projects. And everyone has said yes!

(Side note: At last year's New York Comic Con, I told Whedon about my interview with Neil Patrick Harris for SCI FI Wire, where he said he'd be happy to do a Dollhouse cameo, telling us, "That would be fun! All right. I'll ask Joss! I like being a cousin in the Whedon family, so whatever he wants me to do. Except porn." Whedon laughed and said, "I don't know if he's that talented...any chance to work with Neil ... I would jump at instantly. He apparently plays on another series [CBS' How I Met Your Mother]. But we have to make sure he knows that I know." So he's aware that I'm asking.)

Here's what I've got so far.

When I interviewed Nathan "the hammer is my penis" Fillion for IGN last year, I asked him if he'd do a cameo on Dollhouse. He said, "Yeah! I would. I think, when Joss Whedon calls you up and says, 'hey, I've got this idea' you say, 'Yeah! Yes please. Thank you. Anything you like. That would be great.' It only works out for me."

I spoke to him again recently for The Huffington Post, with his co-star on Castle (which you really should be watching) Stana Katic. I asked her if she'd be willing to sing in the Dr. Horrible sequel. Katic said, "I'd love to! I thought it was a great, great piece.

" Fillion said she sings like a bird.

In our interview at last year's San Diego Comic Con, Eliza Dushku told me she'd love to do a Joss Whedon musical. "I don't know how great of a singer I am. I sing at people," she laughed. "I love karaoke. I'm game, so anything's possible."

I talked to Simon Helberg who plays Howard Wolowitz on the hit show The Big Bang Theory and the damp henchmen Moist in Dr. Horrible, and I asked him if he'd like to appear on Dollhouse. He said, "Yeah! Of course. Absolutely. I have tremendous faith and trust in Joss and all of them, Jed (Whedon) and Zack (Whedon) and Marissa (Tancheroen) who wrote it. And I know Jed and Marissa write on Dollhouse, and I know some of the actors there, and yeah. It would be very fun...it's such a craft to what he does and what all those Whedons do. They're tremendous. So yeah, I would absolutely do something."

Finally, last night on the red carpet for the Scream Awards, I got a few moments with Kunal Nayyar, who plays the socially awkward, can't-talk-to-girls-without-a-stiff-drink Rajesh Koothrappali on The Big Bang Theory. I asked him about joining his cast mate in a Dr. Horrible sequel. "Yeah. I think that would be fun. I love Neil and I love what they do, and Joss Whedon and everyone. So I think it would be fun. Sure! If that opportunity exists, I'd be happy to jump in."

Any other suggestions? I'm interviewing Morena Baccarin next week, and you know I'm asking her about Dollhouse.

Scream Awards: Woody, Pot, Morgan Freeman and Stan "The Man" Lee on a Giant Balloon Spider Thingie

2009-10-17T21:50:00.000-07:00

Zombieland was just declared Breakout Hit of the Year! Nut up or shut up, baby! And the famously difficult interview subject Woody Harrelson stepped up to the mike. Seriously, talking to him on a red carpet is like pulling teeth. The first time I interviewed to him, I was wearing a necklace that looked kind of like a glass pot pipe. He couldn't take his eyes off it. Maybe the interview would have gone better if I had offered to let him smoke out of it.

Morgan Freeman (who'd better be in a Wanted sequel) showed up to give out the final award: The Ultimate Scream Film. And I won't spoil that for you. Let's just say that you must...see this...guest star. He...is a giant...in the industry. ::gesturing like a certain travel site spokesperson:: He said he'd be waiting for the director's call...figure it out?

And finally, (whew, this live blogging thing is nuts) the Comic Book Icon award for Stan Lee. The man is flying over the audience on a spider platform carried by balloons, in front of a giant spider web! I'm a teensy bit nervous for him! Has anyone done a mash-up of his Marvel cameos on YouTube yet?

Stan Lee on his spider thingie. This can't be good for a man his age.

What a blast! I'll try to link a few things to these posts in the morning. Interviews and stuff. And I'll have some more red carpet info as soon as my fingers uncramp and I can transcribe it all. Night!!!

Spike TV's Scream Awards will premiere on Spike TV on Tuesday, October 27 (10:00 PM-Midnight, ET/PT)

Scream Awards: Best TV Show, Elijah Wood and Roids (Yep. I'm talking about Taylor Lautner)

2009-10-17T21:31:00.000-07:00

Do any of you watch Vampire Diaries? I don't. I can't. I...just can't. Should I be? The cast just announced the nominees for Best TV Show.

Dexter, Lost, Battlestar Galactica, Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles (So sad...I know it wasn't great, but I think it was mostly a casualty of the Friday Night Death Slot...seriously, why does anyone do anything for Fox anymore?) and True Blood.

I'm not revealing the winner though. I want to know what you guys think. And the director said that they're using the award as a prop for season 3. (That was a hint.) He also said that this was the, "Most fucked up awards show ever...and therefore the best." He thanked the source material...(hint, hint) And a seriously beautiful man just walked up to the mike. (Hint number 3...that could have been more than one man in the show.)

Elijah Wood (called the "best wingman from Lord of the Rings") just announced the nominees for Best Fantasy Movie. And here they are:

Up (I LOVE Kevin and Dugg! Squirrel!), Twilight, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Watchmen, X-Men Origin: Wolverine. I think they set this up because they have to get their money's worth out of the 'roids. (I'm kidding. Don't sue me. He's adorable.) And they had some world premiere footage from New Moon.

See? Cute as a wolfie little button.

Here's what I saw: Lautner changing into a werewolf with behind-the-scenes footage of his harness work. And lots and lots of half naked wolves. Alright, this one may be a bit better. (Half naked guys usually work on me. Don't judge.) The footage was all pretty much werewolf stuff and short interviews, but it definitely got the biggest cheers of the night. In my interview with Kevin Smith, he made a big deal about how we shouldn't give shit to the Twilighters. They get actual girls into Comic Con. But all that does for me is make the line to the bathroom longer. What can I say? I'm selfish.

Spike TV's Scream Awards will premiere on Spike TV on Tuesday, October 27 (10:00 PM-Midnight, ET/PT)

Scream Awards: Harrison Ford is still hot and Best Director

2009-10-17T21:19:00.000-07:00

Han Solo was always my favorite. Yeah, I like the bad boys. Harrison Ford just took the stage to give the award for Best Director, and thanked the audience for giving him a wonderful life. Hell, I'll put his kid through college. I've certainly contributed. Damn, he still looks amazing!

J.J. Abrams for Star Trek, Sam Raimi for Drag Me to Hell, Michael Bay for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen...WTF! There just aren't enough words for my disgust..., Pete Doctor and Bob Peterson for Up, Tomas Alfredson for Let the Right One In (I said it before and I'll say it again. Cool film. Too much snot. The kid is fucking twelve! Use a tissue!)

And no, Michael Bay didn't win. But another sci-fi guy did! He thanked Gene Roddenberry for doing all the hard work. John Cho and Karl Urban entered from a weird little portal on stage and jokingly asked if anyone saw Star Trek. We got to see some never before seen footage. See? This is why you have to watch the show. Totally worth it!!

Spike TV's Scream Awards will premiere on Spike TV on Tuesday, October 27 (10:00 PM-Midnight, ET/PT)

Scream Awards: Best Actor/Actress in Horror...and Best Mutilation (I'm not kidding) and George Romero

2009-10-17T20:59:00.000-07:00

There are vampires, and then there are vampires. Screw the non-fanged, glittery, teen-angsty blood suckers. Wanna guess who won for Best Actor in Horror? And Best Actress?

Good thing they both won. Wouldn't want to cause a domestic issue.

And now, coolest category ever, Best Mutilation. The nominees? Nuked alive: Last House on the Left, Head Ripped Apart by Nazi Zombies: Dead Snow, Arm Removal Surgery: Splinter...

And I'm not telling you who won this one. You have to watch. I'd totally rob you of the joy of reliving these fantastically bloody moments. I'll just say that the winner is NOT among the nominees...

Quentin Tarantino just took the stage to give George A. Romero his tribute award. Tarantino yelled, "George A. Romero. As far as I'm concerned, that A stands for A. Fucking. Genius." (Sooo...when are we giving Quentin an award? Have you seen Inglourious Basterds? It fucking rocks! And it will forever mess up my spell check.) As they show scenes from Romero's incredible body of work they're playing Rob Zombie's "Living Dead Girl". Awesome. They just carried a piano onto the stage, covered in cobwebs and candlesticks as the man himself enters. Got to love an old guy with a ponytail. He talked about Resurection of the Dead...which is now called Survival of the Dead. I guess there's been discussion. So, what's your favorite Romero film?

Spike TV's Scream Awards will premiere on Spike TV on Tuesday, October 27 (10:00 PM-Midnight, ET/PT)