'The Story of Israel: From Theodor Herzl to the Roadmap for Peace'

Well, somewhere in between bourbons, bon bons, and blog posts, I'm finding time to read one of the books I received for Christmas, Martin Gilbert's, The Story of Israel. I'll read more today and I'll also try to make it out to the movies with my boys. More on all of this later...

Heading Out to 'Girl With the Dragon Tattoo'

And I'll have a response tomorrow.

And ICYMI, the reviews are here: "'Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' Out Today."

'Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' Out Today

The New York Times has an approving review, "Tattooed Heroine Metes Out Slick, Punitive Violence":

Tiny as a sparrow, fierce as an eagle, Lisbeth Salander is one of the great Scandinavian avengers of our time, an angry bird catapulting into the fortresses of power and wiping smiles off the faces of smug, predatory pigs. The animating force in Stieg Larsson’s “Millennium” trilogy — incarnated on screen first by Noomi Rapace and now, in David Fincher’s adaptation of “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” by Rooney Mara — Lisbeth is an outlaw feminist fantasy-heroine, and also an avatar of digital antiauthoritarianism.

Her appeal arises from a combination of vulnerability and ruthless competence. Lisbeth can hack any machine, crack any code and, when necessary, mete out righteous punitive violence, but she is also (to an extent fully revealed in subsequent episodes) a lost and abused child. And Ms. Mara captures her volatile and fascinating essence beautifully. Hurt, fury and calculation play on her pierced and shadowed face. The black bangs across her forehead are as sharp and severe as an obsidian blade, but her eyebrows are as downy and pale as a baby’s. Lisbeth inspires fear and awe and also — on the part of Larsson and his fictional alter ego, the crusading journalist Mikael Blomkvist (played in Mr. Fincher’s film by Daniel Craig) — a measure of chivalrous protectiveness.

Continue reading.

The Los Angeles Times isn't as enthusiastic, "Movie review: 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' is too frigid."

Hot New 'Dark Night Rises' Trailer With Anne Hathaway

I love this franchise.

See London's Daily Mail, "First look: Anne Hathaway's Catwoman gets her paws onto Batman as she goes on the prowl in Dark Knight Rises trailer."

Planet of the Apes Marathon!

HBO Family Channel is showing some of the original "Planet of the Apes" films this month. I watched the first three films yesterday: "The Planet of the Apes," "Beneath the Planet of the Apes," and "Escape from the Planet of the Apes."

It was good. I'm sure feminist heads explode at Nova, the beautiful primitive woman who's a love interest for Charlton Heston.

Sir Lord Thomas has a Rule 5 roundup of Nova photos: "OH NOVA!!!"

Rooney Mara's Hot Punk Lisbeth Salander in 'Girl With the Dragon Tattoo'

At Los Angeles Times, "Dressing the goth-punk heroine of 'Dragon Tattoo'."

Britney Spears Engagement Party Photos

At London's Daily Mail, "A bit too much revelry? Britney Spears emerges from engagement celebration looking a little worse for wear."

Let the lady have some fun, sheesh.

Britney Spears Engaged

Good for her.

She excited!

See MTV: "Britney Spears Is Engaged."

Also, at London's Daily Mail, "Vegas, baby! Delighted Britney Spears and Jason Trawick head to Sin City to celebrate engagement."

Interview With David Fincher, Director of 'Girl With the Dragon Tattoo'

I'm reading the Stieg Larsson novel --- and it's fantastic. This movie looks like a don't-miss film. Fincher directed "Fight Club and "Seven," if that gives you an idea of his oeuvre.

At New York Times, "Obsession, Reignited."

'New Year's Eve'

I don't know about this one. Maybe I'll wait 'till it's out on cable.

At Reuters, "'New Year's Eve' leads as movie box office fizzles."

BONUS: "Lea Michele invites Ashton Kutcher home for the holidays, 'New Year's Eve' costar politely declines." I guess Ashton's gonna survey the field for a while before any more big commitments. That was a rough breakup with Demi.

Jennifer Aniston Voted Hottest Woman of All Time — C'mon, Jennifer Aniston?!!

She's nice, but seriously, who are these people doing the judging?

See London's Daily Mail, "Jennifer Aniston named Sexiest Woman of ALL Time beating out arch-nemesis Angelina Jolie."

Actually, it's Men's Health, "The 100 Hottest Women."

And Neo-Neocon is having none of it: "Are you kidding?!!"

Everybody needs to boost their traffic, that's for sure.

'Sherlock Holmes' Premieres in Los Angeles

A slideshow at Los Angeles Times, "'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows' premiere."

Christiane Amanpour Out as Anchor of ABC's 'This Week'

I wasn't thrilled with Amanpour's debut at "This Week," so I'm hardly bothered by the news out this morning. At New York Post, "Christiane Amanpour to Leave 'This Week'; George Stephanopoulos May 'Pull Double Duty' and Host 'Good Morning America' and 'This Week'."

I admired Amanpour as a war correspondent, however. At the clip she interviews Angelina Jolie, whose new movie is "In the Land of Blood and Honey."

Lindsay Lohan Playboy Cover Leaked

At Los Angeles Times, "Lindsay Lohan Playboy cover: A desperate bid for relevance?"

Actually, seems like the natural order of things these days. The leaked cover is here: "LINDSAY LOHAN'S PLAYBOY COVER REVEALED!"

UPDATE: At Coed Magazine, "Lindsay Lohan Playboy Pics Leaked Online."

John Lennon's Death 31 Years Ago Today

At Vancouver Sun, "John Lennon’s spirit still soars, Yoko Ono declares." And Telegraph UK, "Yoko Ono pays tribute to John Lennon on the 31st annivesary of his death."

And notes Sherri Donovan at The Sound L.A.:

John Lennon was killed 31 years ago today and, shortly afterwards, Roxy Music added his song "Jealous Guy" to their set while on tour in Germany, as a tribute. They recorded and released it a few months later... just a beautiful remembrance of John.

World Premiere: 'In the Land of Blood and Honey'

Another film that looks interesting, although Steven Spielberg is a tough act to follow.

At New York Times, "Behind the Camera, but Still the Star."

Steven Spielberg's 'War Horse' Premiere

I'm really excited about this film. And it comes during Christmas break so I'll have some down time to enjoy it with my family.

At New York Post, "‘War Horse’ Weepers."

Number of Television Owners Declines for First Time in 20 Years

At the Kansas City Star, "For first time in 20 years, TV ownership declines."

I was working on this post while listening to the MSNBC live-feed of Herman Cain's campaign announcement. And just the other day I was thinking that I no longer head straight for the TV when I get home. I can watch news online while blogging. The Star reports on Nielson data tracking the shifts in television ownership and emerging technologies. Live-streaming shows from the web would seem to be an important alternative to the television news, but DVRs and HDTV are the fastest growing technologies, which are tied to the classic television-monitor format. I'm just online all the time so that's my main source of news and information --- which, in the case of Herman Cain's departure, was delivered in real time.

Lady Gaga 'Marry the Night'

At Mirror UK, "Lady Gaga topless and eating cereal in shocking Marry The Night video set in a psychiatric ward."

The video, all 14:00 minutes of it, is at Los Angeles Times, "Lady Gaga's 'Marry the Night' video: five delicious moments."

Happy Birthday Britney!

She's 30!

At LAT, "Britney Spears turns 30: A timeline of the singer's life in video."