Solstice Is The Reason For The Season!

Valerie Tarico, 12.23.2009

Author of "The Dark Side: How Evangelical Teachings Corrupt Love and Truth," and founder, WisdomCommons.org

the darkness of this season forces us to look into ourselves and our relationships for beauty and delight. Summer's pleasures can make us lazy.

Let Actors with Disabilities Play Characters with Disabilities

Lennard Davis, 12.10.2009

Distinguished Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago

Most people defend the right of actors to play whatever parts they want, and I would agree. But the current reality is that non-disabled actors get to play whatever roles they want whereas disabled actors don't.

Interview: Hal Holbrook relishes rediscovery

Marshall Fine, 11.09.2009

Author and film critic, hollywoodandfine.com

It's been more than two years since Sean Penn cast Hal Holbrook in Into the Wild - but Holbrook is still singing his praises. "Sean gave me the most ...

Divine Inspirations: Our Finest Arts Documentaries

John Farr, 10.18.2009

Writer, editor and lecturer on timeless film

There is no shortage of excellent documentaries that celebrate human creativity -- examining those directors, actors, painters, musicians, and dancers whose efforts infuse our lives with drama, color and meaning.

When Should Gay Marriage Advocates Try to Reverse California's Prop 8?

William Bradley, 09.11.2009

California-based Political Analyst NewWestNotes.com

This week, a few organizations championing same-sex marriage will announce their opinions as to whether to try to reverse Prop 8 in 2010 or 2012.

America 2009: Hand Sanitizer, Safe Babies, and Prop 8

Tom Gregory, 06.27.2009

Actor, radio personality, and Tony nominated producer

Something tragic has happened to the American church. They have become a pawn in a game of wicked ridiculousness.

Drew Barrymore, Nutrition, and 25 Cents A Day

Dr. Patricia Fitzgerald, 06.02.2009

Wellness Editor, Licensed Acupuncturist, Cert. Clinical Nutritionist, Homeopath, Author

What is extraordinary about Drew Barrymore's involvement with the World Food Programme is that she has truly earned her title as Ambassador. Her life's mission: to make sure that no child is hungry.

Smiles for Smirks

Sean Penn, 05.22.2009

The criticisms of President Obama's warm greeting toward President Chavez of Venezuela have been the posturing of our nation's most bitter and humanly impotent voices.

March 30, 2009, news update

Richard Valeriani, 04.30.2009

Former NBC News correspondent

Bloviator Bill O'Reilly says he boycotts Sean Penn's movies because he doesn't like his politics. Well then, Mr. O'Reilly, I guess Sean Penn just won't watch your show.

Has Sean Penn Told A Joke in The Last 20 Years?

Dan Abramson, 04.27.2009

Associate Comedy Editor

Sean Penn has been cast in The Three Stooges. This would be great news if Sean Penn was funny.

And The Oscar Goes To...Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk!

John Marshall, 04.27.2009

Comedian, Emmy-nominated writer

I'm very, very proud to live in this country that, for all its OW! OW! OW! OW! OW! creates such courageous chowderheads.

Rihanna and Chris, You Are Not Alone: Troubled Musical Couples

Shawn Amos, 04.19.2009

Pop Culture Pundit and Host of 'Retro Minute'

While Rihanna and Chris are getting their heads on straight, here's a list of troubled relationships for them to study.

DVDs -- Pinocchio Looks Better Than Ever

Michael Giltz, 04.13.2009

Freelance writer and raconteur

He's had a major role in a string of terrific movies, dating back to Clueless all the way to Knocked Up. And now suddenly, he's the man: the lead in successful movies.

Sean Penn's Suit Against the Mormons

Tom Gregory, 04.11.2009

Actor, radio personality, and Tony nominated producer

Just a few days ago I bought a suit Sean Penn wore during his Academy Award-winning performance in Milk -- the suit Penn's Harvey Milk wore the night he defeated Prop 6 in November of 1978.

Hannity, The Kiss and Barney Frank, Gay Superstar

Paul Jenkins, 04.04.2009

It is a measure of Hollywood's insecurity that we are probably months away from it being more acceptable to be a gay soldier than to be a gay actor.

Got Milk?

Michael Jones, 04.04.2009

Read, surf, think

What we see in Milk are straw men erected and blown down, over and over again. Anita Bryant made foolish, how hard is that?

How Beijing Butchered Sean Penn's "Commie, Homo-Loving" Oscar Speech

David Flumenbaum, 09.24.2009

Managing Blog Editor

Around Asia, mentions of "gay" or "lesbian" were muted out of the Oscars broadcast. But the award for the most creative censorship method goes to China's CCTV for its work during Sean Penn's speech.

The Best Actor and Best Movie of 2008 Weren't Even Nominated

John Eskow, 03.28.2009

Screenwriter, Journalist

The most amazing "performance" of 2008 was that of Benicio del Toro as Che -- which, for my dough, was also the movie of the year.

Tom Hanks, Sean Penn and Prop. 8

Douglas MacKinnon, 03.28.2009

Former press secretary to Sen. Bob Dole

I'm troubled that a vocal minority of activists in favor of gay marriage (some obviously from Hollywood) have chosen to vilify fellow citizens who believe in traditional marriage.

Slumdog vs. Milk -- The Identity Crisis

Sandip Roy, 03.26.2009

Editor, New America Media

On Oscar night some of us had the big dilemma. The Indians were rooting for Slumdog Millionaire. The gays were rooting for Milk. Where did that leave the gay Indians?

Alpha Financial Dogs Nouriel Roubini and Nassim Taleb, Socks Clinton and First Annual Lucky Award given to Mickey Rourke!

Wendy Diamond, 03.26.2009

TV Personality, Pet Lifestyle Expert, Animal Rescue Advocate

Last night was Hollywood's biggest night of the year and while Lucky and I were not able to make it to the Oscars, seeing as we're working like dogs t...