1. LeVar Burton. His beard makes him child-friendly.
2. Heath Ledger. Fact: The beginning of A Knight's Tale is possibly the only time I find Heath Ledger attractive because of his looks. Somehow the beard outweighs the white-man dreads.
3. Jean Reno. Sporting a barely-there beard and gun holsters in The Professional--great choice.
4. Kyle Howard. It's from My Boys episode 1 of season 3. It's adorable.
5. Christian Bale.Reign of Fire reminds me that I like my Christian Bale skinny with a struggling beard.
Blame it on the really hot shaved-head-and-bearded guy on the bus (who I learned today most certainly has a GF...like that will stop the across-the-bus ogling), but I'm in the mood for some more beards. It's been too long.
1. Tom Skerritt While I mostly recognize him with a mustache, I appreciate his bearded captain look in Alien.
2. Paul McCartney manages to look boyish even with a beard.
3. Naveen Andrews remains the best part of LOST, bringing the badass again and again in addition to his perfect manlock-beard combo.
4. Kris Kristofferson is incredibly attractive. That's all.
5. Billy Crystal proves that even goofy guys can be hot with a little facial hair in When Harry Met Sally.
This was the best picture to show off his facial hair. Hey, Meg.
1. Robert Redford in Jeremiah Johnson. His beard is in full-grizzled mode at this point.
2. John Corbett in Northern Exposure as Chris "in the morning" Stevens. He's waxing philosophical about Maggie's burned down house. Thinking is hot.
3. Josh Radner rocking a break-up beard as Ted on How I Met Your Mother. There was no high-five reciprocation.
4. So Joseph Fiennes doesn't have a complete beard in Shakespeare in Love, but I'm saying it's scruffy enough to count. Also, he is quite pretty, thoughtfully holding the quill like that.
5. A youngish (by which I mean a 43-year-old) Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Treves in The Elephant Man. Not a bad look, Mr. Hopkins. Not bad at all.
After rewatching and refalling in love with William Powell in My Man Godfrey, I was reminded that my deep attraction to him might be inappropriate. Certainly he's middle-aged, and certainly he doesn't have an overt love of young women, so I'll classify my crush on him as mostly inappropriate.
But I find myself mildly to really attracted to inappropriate characters all the time. From the top of my head, here are some more:
1. Sylar (Zachary Quinto) from Heroes.
So serial killer with both mommy and daddy issues. Probably not the best pick for a person to fall in love with. Whatever. His Gabriel Gray look is adorable.
2. Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez (Mike Vitar) in The Sandlot.
I only feel awkward about this because Mike Vitar was 15 when this movie was made, making him 7 years younger than I am now. But baseball shirts and bravery are eternally irresistible.
3. Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris) in How I Met Your Mother.
He's pretty gross.
4. Henry Crawford (Alessandro Nivola) from Mansfield Park.
At least he's funny and reads well, despite his rakish decisions later in the film.
5. Greg House (Hugh Laurie) in House.
I know this isn't an original sentiment, but House is old enough to be my dad. Also, Hugh Laurie is an absolute goofball in pretty much every other role. Amazing what scruff and caustic insults can do for a guy.
6. Eugene "Doc" Roe (Shane Taylor) in Band of Brothers.
Awesome medic with a great accent. Although I'm pretty sure the purpose of this miniseries wasn't for me to lust after him.
7. Tom Riddle (Christian Coulson) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Sorry, but proto-Voldemort is hot in a clean-cut schoolboy sort of way.
I always wished I was a good storyteller. Ask anyone, my stories are usually of the "something like that happened to me once" kind with little to no purpose. I usually have to announce the end. What this comes down to is that even though I can't tell one, I love a good story. If you're a good storyteller, I will give you my full attention. But no story beats an urban legend. I personally don't remember too many from my childhood, but they make the best tales because there might be--just might be some truth behind them. Here are some great pop culture moments in urban legends. Note: best if read with a flashlight to your face.
1. The Sandlot (1993)
Initially thinking about this, my mind instantly went to the legend of the dog in the backyard next to the lot in The Sandlot. In the story, the dog is huge, is a great junk yard dog, eats people, and then is eventually banished for, you know, ever. This really puts the gang into a huge pickle. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the whole story online, so please enjoy Squints' enduring final words:
2. Season 1 Episode 3 "Stoop Kid" from Hey Arnold! (1996)
My favorite storyteller is an animated boy named Gerald. He is the holder of his New York neighborhood's secrets (which are probably in his towering hair). Motivated by a football landing on a stoop and the fact that they can't retrieve said ball, Gerald tells the classic tale of Stoop Kid (about a minute in):
3. Ode to Billy Joe (1976)
Prossibly one the most gimmicky movies ever, Ode to Billy Joe aimed to give a background story to the legendary song that shared the same name, basically filling in why Bill Joe McAllister jumped off the Tallahasee bridge. The two don't have much in common other than the name, but the movie itself is pretty weird. It holds promise at the beginning, but turns into one of the most unexpected endings ever (at least to me the one time I saw it late on TV one night). Poor Billy Joe. He's pretty cute, and all he wanted to do is get with Bobbie Lee, but then he gets sexually confused. The beginning:
4. Anastasia (1956)
Based on one of the best urban legends, Anastasia brings a legend to life. A woman with a mysterious and sordid past is transformed into the Princess Anastasia, who supposedly survived the revolution. At the end, we're still left wondering is she or isn't she Anastasia? In this scene we see Anna (Ingrid Bergman) after she learns General Bounine's (Yul Brynner) plot to use her as a fake Anastasia to earn money. Anna then starts to tell crazy stories of her own:
Side note: I find Yul Brynner unbelievably attractive in the movie.
5. Gone With the Wind (1939)
Part of what makea Rhett Butler such an interesting character is how he allows others to define his character. From the very beginning we hear that he has a bad reputation, but further along, he's hailed as a war hero. His fame, good or bad, tends to precede him wherever he goes. Urban legend? Maybe not, but a legend nonetheless. Here's the initial gossip about Captain Butler (the first minute):
6. The Village (2004)
There are a lot of legends in horror movies, but the way the stories work in the film is more complicated than just a monster: they're a way to keep everyone in the village. Say what you will about the last half of the film, the first half is engaging and has some great scare moments involving the strange creatures in the woods. At about 4 minutes into this clip, we see Shyamalan implying the legend of the "those we don't speak of" through the characters' actions. Lovely filmmaking:
This post has been submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society.
Speaking of M. Night, prepare yourselves for Shyamalanathon 2009. Coming soon.
I few weeks ago, I expressed how a pair of rolled-up sleeves make any guy more attractive. This time I'm expressing my love for the more hit-or-miss attraction-builder glasses. In any case, it certainly makes a hot guy hotter or a dumb guy smarter, which is an overwhelming win for everyone. Here are some good examples:
1. Rodrigo Santoro as Karl in Love Actually (2003). No explanation needed.
2. Sendhil Ramamurthy as Dr. Mohinder Suresh on Heroes. In one of the many episodes that deal with a potential future, my TV lover Mohinder sports a more grown out beard in addition to some fetching professorial glasses when he consults the President.
3. Alec Baldwin as Adam Maitland in Beetle Juice (1988). Not only is young Alec quite a looker, he seems unsuspectedingly everyman with these glasses. Adorable.
4. Takeshi Kaneshiro as Lin Jian-dong in Perhaps Love (2005) is the highlight of the movie. I have no idea what is going on for at least half of the movie, but Mr. Kaneshiro in the mid-nineties flashbacks in those big glasses is the best thing that could happen.
5. Speaking of mid-nineties glasses, Harrison rocks a pair as Linus Larrabee in Sabrina (1995). I think they were trying to make him appear more serious and less attractive, but in conjunction with Mr. Ford's regular use of a bow tie in the film, it just makes him more lovable.
6. Matthew McConaughey as Steve in The Wedding Planner (2001) is the best example of glasses making a guy look smart. While M-squared is still slightly smarmy in this movie, this is the only movie I've ever been attracted to him, and I think it has everything to do with those glasses.
There's nothing more irresistable than a guy's forearms when it's set off by a nice pair of rolled-up sleeves. Just short sleeves will never do, and it's preferable that the sleeves belong to a button-up shirt--it gives that sexy disheveled look. Anyway, here a list of a random 10 rolled-up sleeves:
1. Julian Sands as George Emerson in A Room with a View (1985). He's kind of a weirdy, but him reclining post-tennis match in rolled-up sleeves and a bonus set of suspenders wins me over every time.
2. John Cusack voices the awesome Dmitri from Anastasia (1997). Yeah, it's rolled-up sleeves on top of another shirt, but I'm counting it just because there is also a vest and floppy hair involved.
3. Yul Brynner as General Sergei Pavlovich Bounine in Anastasia (1956). He's the character Dmitiri was modeled after for the 1997 version, but he's a different sort of attractive. Bounine is almost all business and only loosens up on occasion such as this scene. He's almost likable here, which I owe mostly to the sleeves.
4. Jonathon Rhys Meyers* as Joe in Bend it Like Beckham (2002). Irish accent, footballer, awesome coach, and a habit of rolling up his sleeves. What more can you ask for?
5. The entire case of Newsies (1992). Like any girl who grew up in the 90s, Newsies is just a feast for the eyes. In fact, it still is, but I feel a little creepy knowing that almost all these guys were younger than I am when they made this film. Whatever. The point is, you've got the totally ripped Mush, my childhood crush Spot Conlon, and Max Casella (um, apparently Racetrack Higgins) in one shot here all with rolled-up sleeves singing about being the king of New York.
But this isn't enough to show you. You can't bask in its entire glory. Here's the whole scene (with some Christian Bale sleeve action. Too bad Bill Pullman is so buttoned up):
Unfortunately this is kind of pixaly. Just go rent it. Or buy it. Just love it.
6. While Eduardo Verastegui does sport an epic beard in Bella(2006), the sleeves of his chef jacket are probably the most endearing part of his costuming.
7. Clark Gable as Peter Warne in It Happened One Night (1934). Mr. Gable's sleeves are just one reason to love this film. And him.
8. David Duchovny as Fox Mulder in the tv series The X-Files. You know the case is serious when he's rolled up his sleeves.
9. Richard Armitage as Mr. Thornton in North & South (2004). I recently read the book, and while it was delightful to read some of Mr. Thornton's inner-most thoughts, seeing these sleeves when Mr. Thornton is stressed out about finances beats it all.
10. Bradley Whitford as Josh Lyman in the television series The West Wing. Nary an episode goes by when Josh doesn't have rolled-up sleeves. No wonder Donna fell for him, working with those exposed forearms every day.
In honor of my college graduation, I give a list of my favorite pop cultural finds of my college years. It's pretty random list, some of which is completely cliche, but here you go:
1. Bollywood. My freshman roommate started me on Bollywood films with Dil Chahta Hai. While in recent years my consumption has slowed down, they're usually good for a laugh or cry or just fun if you've got a spare 3 hours.
Om Shanti Om is fantastic. I never wrote a review on it, but if you love super-meta, making a movie within a movie, genre mixing movies, than this one is for you. It's funny, a little tragic, and randomly spooky. Plus, Hamlet and Singin' in the Rain references.
2. The Beatles. Like anyone who likes music, I've always loved the Beatles, but I owe a guy I will always remember as Hot Hot Brian in my psych class for pointing me toward Rubber Soul during a class presentation. After that, I was hooked to the Beatles' later (and more awesome) albums.
Jimmy Page is inviting you into the dangerous world of Led Zeppelin fandom. Warning: it can be obsessive.
4. K-dramas. Next time in search for a corny series I might branch out from Korean dramas, but My Lovely Sam Soon was a good place to start.
I know right? From this picture alone My Lovely Sam Soon is already too adorable to resist. FYI, it's like a Korean Bridget Jones except way more adorable...adorable. Shockingly, it's probably just as cheesy.
5. House.I have found that a good way to tell if you're going to like a roommate is if they'll sit down and watch an episode of House with you.
The original team smilier than they are ever on the show; I just love this picture.
6. Online television. I'm counting both legal and more sketchy means. It's so much more convenient to find catch up on tv shows since I got to college, and I love the internet for that.
It's like magic.
7. pandora.com. Check out this station that was developed from artists I discoverd on pandora. I now can enjoy bluegrass and other musical genres new to me.
8. Emo. Sometimes, it doesn't suck. But as a friend said, everyone has a quota of how much emo they can take. Personally, emo better come with some pop hooks or I'm out. Less offensive emos: Panic at the Disco (since they're either electronica or Beatles in their approach), Cartel (pop-y!), about 4 of My Chemical Romance's songs, about 5 of Fall Out Boy's songs, a smattering of others. But for the most part, still kind of a whiny/mediocre genre.
Do yourself a favor and never image search 'emo.'
9. The rock musical/opera. Possibly the best film genre possible in that the musical is usually good and the plot is usually preposterous. This magical blend makes sure that you feel both pleasure and guilt if you like it. Great examples: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Across the Universe,Tommy.
I was going to subject you to Mean Mr. Mustard's robots in Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, but thought better of it and instead I give you the Barry Gibb and his fabulous locks, the rest of the Bee Gees, and Peter Frampton in the film.
And in case you're concerned about what happens to Mr. Frampton...
Billy Preston magically appears from a weather vane to save the day! yay!
I took a four hour nap today, so to bide time until I fall asleep, five more beards:
1. Sean Connery. Classic old man Connery beard.
2. Kenneth Branagh. This is from Much Ado About Nothing when he's the hilarious Benedick. While this picture is great for his beard, this is oddly serious for his character. At least Denzel and Kate are having fun in the background.
3. Keanu Reeves. Speaking of Much Ado, my favorite/least favorite casting ever*.
4. Richard Schiff. Toby is always right.
5. Marvin Gaye. Retrospective and socially aware beard.
*Sister: He's so angry. Someone must have told Keanu someone stole his cheeseburger.
1. Robert Redford in Jeremiah Johnson. His beard is in full-grizzled mode at this point.
2. John Corbett in Northern Exposure as Chris "in the morning" Stevens. He's waxing philosophical about Maggie's burned down house.
3. Josh Radner rocking a break-up beard as Ted on How I Met Your Mother. There was no high-five reciprocation.
4. So Joseph Fiennes doesn't have a complete beard in Shakespeare in Love, but I'm saying it's scruffy enough to count.
5. A youngish (by which I mean a 43-year-old) Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Treves in The Elephant Man. Not a bad look, Mr. Hopkins. Not bad at all.
So serial killer with both mommy and daddy issues. Probably not the best pick for a person to fall in love with. Whatever. His Gabriel Gray look is adorable.
He's pretty gross.
At least he's funny and reads well, despite his rakish decisions later in the film.
I know this isn't an original sentiment, but House is old enough to be my dad. Also, Hugh Laurie is an absolute goofball in pretty much every other role. Amazing what scruff and caustic insults can do for a guy.
Awesome medic with a great accent. Although I'm pretty sure the purpose of this miniseries wasn't for me to lust after him.
Sorry, but proto-Voldemort is hot in a clean-cut schoolboy sort of way.
1. Rodrigo Santoro as Karl in Love Actually (2003). No explanation needed.
2. Sendhil Ramamurthy as Dr. Mohinder Suresh on Heroes. In one of the many episodes that deal with a potential future, my TV lover Mohinder sports a more grown out beard in addition to some fetching professorial glasses when he consults the President.
3. Alec Baldwin as Adam Maitland in Beetle Juice (1988). Not only is young Alec quite a looker, he seems unsuspectedingly everyman with these glasses. Adorable.
4. Takeshi Kaneshiro as Lin Jian-dong in Perhaps Love (2005) is the highlight of the movie. I have no idea what is going on for at least half of the movie, but Mr. Kaneshiro in the mid-nineties flashbacks in those big glasses is the best thing that could happen.
5. Speaking of mid-nineties glasses, Harrison rocks a pair as Linus Larrabee in Sabrina (1995). I think they were trying to make him appear more serious and less attractive, but in conjunction with Mr. Ford's regular use of a bow tie in the film, it just makes him more lovable.
6. Matthew McConaughey as Steve in The Wedding Planner (2001) is the best example of glasses making a guy look smart. While M-squared is still slightly smarmy in this movie, this is the only movie I've ever been attracted to him, and I think it has everything to do with those glasses.
1. Julian Sands as George Emerson in A Room with a View (1985). He's kind of a weirdy, but him reclining post-tennis match in rolled-up sleeves and a bonus set of suspenders wins me over every time.
2. John Cusack voices the awesome Dmitri from Anastasia (1997). Yeah, it's rolled-up sleeves on top of another shirt, but I'm counting it just because there is also a vest and floppy hair involved.
3. Yul Brynner as General Sergei Pavlovich Bounine in Anastasia (1956). He's the character Dmitiri was modeled after for the 1997 version, but he's a different sort of attractive. Bounine is almost all business and only loosens up on occasion such as this scene. He's almost likable here, which I owe mostly to the sleeves.
4. Jonathon Rhys Meyers* as Joe in Bend it Like Beckham (2002). Irish accent, footballer, awesome coach, and a habit of rolling up his sleeves. What more can you ask for?
5. The entire case of Newsies (1992). Like any girl who grew up in the 90s, Newsies is just a feast for the eyes. In fact, it still is, but I feel a little creepy knowing that almost all these guys were younger than I am when they made this film. Whatever. The point is, you've got the totally ripped Mush, my childhood crush Spot Conlon, and Max Casella (um, apparently Racetrack Higgins) in one shot here all with rolled-up sleeves singing about being the king of New York.
6. While Eduardo Verastegui does sport an epic beard in Bella (2006), the sleeves of his chef jacket are probably the most endearing part of his costuming.
7. Clark Gable as Peter Warne in It Happened One Night (1934). Mr. Gable's sleeves are just one reason to love this film. And him.
8. David Duchovny as Fox Mulder in the tv series The X-Files. You know the case is serious when he's rolled up his sleeves.
9. Richard Armitage as Mr. Thornton in North & South (2004). I recently read the book, and while it was delightful to read some of Mr. Thornton's inner-most thoughts, seeing these sleeves when Mr. Thornton is stressed out about finances beats it all.
10. Bradley Whitford as Josh Lyman in the television series The West Wing. Nary an episode goes by when Josh doesn't have rolled-up sleeves. No wonder Donna fell for him, working with those exposed forearms every day.
Om Shanti Om is fantastic. I never wrote a review on it, but if you love super-meta, making a movie within a movie, genre mixing movies, than this one is for you. It's funny, a little tragic, and randomly spooky. Plus, Hamlet and Singin' in the Rain references.
Seriously. Buy it. Love it.
Jimmy Page is inviting you into the dangerous world of Led Zeppelin fandom. Warning: it can be obsessive.
I know right? From this picture alone My Lovely Sam Soon is already too adorable to resist. FYI, it's like a Korean Bridget Jones except way more adorable...adorable. 
The original team smilier than they are ever on the show; I just love this picture.
It's like magic.
