A HARD DAY'S BLAINE

HAPPY FRIDAY!

After a crazy week, it's time to kick up your heels and get your hormones racing! I've found myself revisiting (a lot) this Blaine number from Glee's season premiere a couple weeks ago. 

You're a fool not to appreciate the simultaneous dreaminess / cuteness / effing-hotness of Darren Criss in Season 3. Hallelujah, he's out of that ill-fitting Warblers jacket! He's dancing with Santana, and Cheerios in their mid-30s! Click to make 'em bigger.

"It's Not Unusual"...for this number to get my heart thumping.

Those pants. THOSE PANTS.

Zip and a TWIST!

(Look at his stupid adorable little face!)

_________________________

Of course I can't just not mention his spectacular performance of "Something's Coming" from West Side Story last week. I mean...wow. And those fucking arms.

TGIF! Get out there and have some fun! It's almost October, you guys! I'm typing excitedly!

THAT DARN PHONE

Bridget seeks out the cell phone Charlie to her Angel, while a carefree Siobhan paints Paris drowsy with a new man. Throw in an all-you-can-eat designer fashion buffet and some hedge fund drama, and you've got this week's episode! Welcome back to your weekly guide to telling Bridget and Siobhan apart!

PRESIDENTIAL PROXIMITY

Welcome to West Hollywood,

President Obama!

As I type this, President Barack Obama is in West Hollywood city limits. He's attending an event at the House of Blues (presumably something more important than a Steel Panther show) and following it up with dinner at Fig & Olive on Melrose Place. Y'know who lives a stone's throw from Melrose Place? ME.

No one freak out - I'm not going to crash the President's fancy dinner, despite the fact that it'll be happening right around the corner. I did however put on my super stealth yellow hoodie and take a walk over to survey the hoopla. As you can see from the above shot, WeHo's finest mean business tonight.

I don't think it really matters what political affiliation you claim - it's pretty nifty when the President of the United States is in the city or town you call home. I know a lot of people have their Obama gripes - and some of them are valid - but I'm still a supporter. And that's about as political as I like to get. Which is why I would like to close with the following adorable image:

Let's get margaritas next time you're in town, Barry O! If you don't count the protest groups, West Hollywood totes loves you!

SCENE ABDUCTRESS

Sigourney Weaver

Best Actress Supported by Balloons

Abduction, 2011

There's really not a whole lot to say! This movie was awful. Lady Weavington thankfully appeared to be one of the few actors in on the joke. T-Lauts only takes his shirt off twice. Whatever.

In case you were wondering, The Lion King 3D took the top spot in the box office again this weekend. Simba makes a better action hero, apparently.

GOTHAM'S NIGHT OUT

The American Cinematheque presented a double feature of Tim Burton's darkly perfect Batman films last night at the Aero Theatre, with executive producer Michael E. Uslan in attendance to promote his new book "The Boy Who Loved Batman". Travel back to Gotham City's cinematic roots with an expert!

THUG-IN-THE-BOX

Bridget deals with the consequences of her actions (sort of), continues to freak out everyone around her by behaving like a good person, AND plays a spirited game of "Hide the Corpse"...at a fancy party, of course. Welcome back to your weekly guide to telling Bridget and Siobhan apart!

REPEAL & RESPECT

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

1993-2011

Today is a monumental day for equal rights - today is the first day that homosexuals can serve openly in the United States Military. Today begins a new chapter of American history. 

The dedicated gay men and women who devote their lives to protecting our nation no longer have to do so in silence or with shame. The end of this misguided and wholly discriminatory policy means that, yes - things are getting better.

(Yes, I know Buster Bluth isn't gay. I just love Arrested Development.)

My mission statement here is "Always Looking For a Good Time". Fifty years ago my life (even as a civilian) wouldn't have been so easy, and it has taken a lot of struggle to get to where we are now. Thank you to those who have fought to help get us here. Don't Ask, Don't Tell, you're officially a thing of the past...

Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

IMITATED, NEVER REPLICATED

She was the Starship Enterprise's lead drink-slinger, confidante and friend to crew members of all ranks on Star Trek: The Next Generation. But she was so much more than an opulent-hat-wearing bartendress. Thanks for listening, Guinan!

TAKEN IDENTITY

Last night was the dawn of a (slightly) more mature era for The CW, with the premiere of Sarah Michelle Gellar's new series Ringer. Playing the roles of identical twin sisters can be tough on an actress - not to mention the audience. Welcome to your weekly guide to telling Bridget and Siobhan apart.

BACK TO YOU, BARBARA

DC Comics' universe-spanning reboot is just getting started, and things are looking a bit more familiar around Gotham. Barbara Gordon dons the cape and cowl once again as Batgirl, in her brand new series - accept no substitutes!

PASS IT ON

Lessons Learned:

Contagion Edition

Director Steven Soderbergh's non-stripper film takes on a truly terrifying premise from a fascinating angle...science. Watch as some of the biggest names in Hollywood (as well as some of the most obscure) foam at the mouth and fight a global pandemic. Here's what I learned from this glossy cautionary tale:

1. 
You can judge most of Matt Damon's performance by his trailer moments.

2. 

Jude Law's snaggletooth - it's a dealbreaker.

3. 

Marion Cotillard plays a comely Epidemiologist, proving once again that in the movies, anything is possible.

4. 

A really disturbing amount of people laughed when Gwyneth Paltrow's head got sawed open, and I may have been among them.

5. 

I think Chin Han and Monique Gabriela Curnen (Lao and Ramirez from The Dark Knight, respectively) were on loan from the Christopher Nolan Collection.

6. 

Beleaguered Lawrence Fishburne is the new Beleaguered Morgan Freeman.

7. 

I totally thought Meryl Streep was in this movie, but it was just the delightful Jennifer Ehle!

8. 

Demetri Martin - who is apparently now a dramatic actor - did himself proud. Who would have thought?

9. 

Every time Sanaa Lathan showed up, all I could think about was her working for Jacqueline Bisset as a high class hooker on Nip/Tuck.

10. 

If Bryan Cranston looks this old on Breaking Bad, you guys are never gonna sell me on this show.

So yeah, I really enjoyed Contagion. It's definitely not as much of a "horror" movie as they're making it out to be, but it's an incredibly intelligent thriller that never wastes time. 

I've also never before seen anyone at the ArcLight wash their hands so thoroughly after a movie!

MIX-N-MASH MONDAYS: SUMMER 2011 MIXTAPE

HAPPY LABOR DAY!

I know I promised you guys an end-of-Summer mix last week, but I figured Labor Day really is considered the end of this glorious season. That, and I've been super busy leaving my job of many years and starting a new one. But on to the good stuff!

There's been a lot of fantastic music in my life in the past few months - so much that I would have had to expand Mix-N-Mash Mondays to Mix-N-Mash Everyday if I wanted to share it all with you. Thankfully I've found a suitable alternative, and one that makes it a little more special. I've narrowed it down to 10 tracks; these are the best of the best. Feast your ears and enjoy the last moments before the Fall, with the...

Zip and a Kick! Summer 2011 Mixtape

Why Even Try (RAC Remix)

Theophilus London

Free Download

Undercover Martyn (Softwar Remix)

Two Door Cinema Club

Free Download

Worse it Gets (RAC Mix)

Penguin Prison

Free Download

Mirrors (Cosmic Kids Remix)

Superhumanoids

Free Download

Second Chance (RAC Remix)

Peter Bjorn & John

Free Download

Far Away (The Golden Filter Remix)

Cut Copy

Free Download

Houdini (RAC Remix)

Foster the People

Free Download

Tonight's the Kind of Night (RAC Remix)

Noah & The Whale

Free Download

Figure 8 (Discotech Remix)

Outasight

Free Download

Wait and See (CFCF Remix)

Holy Ghost!

Free Download

In case you were wondering - no, RAC doesn't pay me to promote their remixes. They just happen to make some of the best ones! I hope everyone's been having safe and fun-filled Labor Day weekend. Autumn's calling!

Dedicated in honor of, and with congratulations to, E.P. Hubble