Tank Top Tuesday

The great thing about tank tops, besides their minimal fabric and maximum hotness, is the way they cling. A tank top knows how to fit the body. It knows where to hug and where to give. It’s a giver like that. So on someone like, say, Hope Solo, a tank top knows to get the hell out of the way, and just let that back do all the talking. Which, not entirely coincidentally, is precisely what I’m going to do as well.

Claudia BlackI probably should have watched “Farscape,” huh?

Nikki ReedI remember Nikki before she was in all this “Twilight” hoo-ha and just wanted to kiss Evan Rachel Wood.

Rosario DawsonRosario is one of the most consistent tank top wearers in the industry. Bless her generous heart.

Elisha CuthbertWho knew she was the kind of girl who liked to get drunk and to eat ribs?

Rhona MitraShe needs to be in more movies where she kicks things’ asses.

Brandi CarlileShe’s in my neck of the woods this week and I was too late to get tickets. No, I’m not crying.

Jenna UshkowitzI’m so glad the “Glee” writers remembered Jenna was on the show last episode.

Naya RiveraSpeaking of things on “Glee” I’m glad for.

Tank Top Tuesday

I am decidedly not blonde. This isn’t the beginning of a bad blonde joke or any such hair color-based disparagement; it’s just a fact. I’ve also never dated a blonde. Not that I have anything against blondes. Hello, Jodie Foster. Sit a little closer, Kate Winslet. Don’t be shy, Leisha Hailey. I’ve heard that blondes have more fun. Also, gentlemen prefer them. But what I know for sure is that whenever I see blonde locks and tank tops, I automatically think summer. And, gosh, who doesn’t like summer?

Mary McCormack

Naomi WattsKristen BellKristen WiigUma ThurmanKristin ChenowethElisha CuthbertScarlett JohanssonElisabeth RohmPortia de Rossi[Click each to embiggen...hey, no blonde jokes!]

It's oh so quiet, and so peaceful until...

Damn. I just checked out the trailer for Jamie Babbit's sophomore release "The Quiet" and color me impressed. The out director behind the campy coming-of-age lesbian comedy "But I'm a Cheerleader" returns to the big screen with an intense, dark family drama. From the looks of things Babbit hasn't lost her knack for picking pretty casts. The film, slated for limited released in New York/Los Angeles starting Aug. 25, stars Camilla Belle ("When a Stranger Calls") and Elisha Cuthbert ("24").

Belle plays Dot, a deaf teen who is suddenly orphaned and sent to live with her godparents and their daughter Nina (Cuthbert). But all is not shiny or happy with her new family where dark secrets and darker desires lurk underneath. Nina is a popular cheerleader (Hey, Jamie, I sense a theme) with, shall we say, issues. The trailer shows no overt lesbian content, but there are a few splashes of subtext. (Nina's cheerleader friend asks her, "How do you know if you're a good kisser?" They then share a look that lasts a beat too long…) Plus, there is all that whispering Nina does in Dot's ear.

The Hollywood Reporter ran a full feature on Babbit and her new film today. Edie Falco and Martin Donovan also star as Nina's parents. Check out more on "The Quiet" here and here for trailers and other goodies. That's it. I'm sold. Bring on the popcorn.

8/4/06 UPDATE: Wow, I just found a ton of extras including interviews with Jamie, Elisha and more plus several exclusive clips from the movie over at iFilm. Check them all out here. Jamie does, however, quash our little gay hopes by saying outright, "This is not a gay movie." Oh well, we can always dream. Jamie also confirms my own first impressions of the film, namely its mix of "American Beauty" and "Heavenly Creatures."