Go Shorty It's Your Birth Month: Angelina Jolie

My week of celebrating June culminates with this week's hottie - Angelina Jolie. I ask you to bear with me on this one. At times I may seem to contradict myself, but trust me, in my head it makes total sense.

I can only assume that if it makes perfect sense to you as well, that you are just as messed up as I am. It's either that or those of us who do get it are wise beyond our years. You know they saying - to each his own. And there's also - there's method to my madness or it all depends on how you look at it. Of course, I could just be making excuses to justify the bare fact that I'm weird or just a plain nutcase. Either way, do I even give a shit - I think not. Thinking about stuff like that is just too much thinking if you ask me.

Enough of my rambling though; let's get on with the show. First off, there's something I've been wanting to get off my chest about this Jolie, well actually it's the Jolie-Pitt, fiasco. This might be quite late in coming, but I couldn't complete a blog about Jolie without just spitting it out. It's the whole love triangle thing with Aniston and all. How in the hell was it all Jolie's fault? Nowhere had I read or seen anything pointing out that Brad 'who belongs in a snake pit' Pitt was culpable in anyway.

Did she walk up to him with one of her many guns, hold him at gunpoint and demanded that he screw Aniston over? Well, did she? Of course, I wasn't there but I think not. The way I see it, she's 40% to blame and he 60%. Why? It's quite damn simple! He is the one who was committed to another at the time of the whole damn thing. Therefore he merits that extra 20%. The onus was on him to say 'hold the hell up there, I'm with someone'. I'm not just picking on him.

At the other end of the spectrum, I'm just as disgusted with them both over the whole ordeal. She has earned the title of home-wrecker; there's no doubt in my mind about that. They both have.

Another thing that I need to put out there is that I honestly don't get all the hype about the 'lips' thing with Jolie and how stunningly beautiful she is. I honestly most times find her lips unattractive. There I've said it, I've said it and I can see the disgust and astonish looks on every one's face. I feel better now and thus can proceed with this whole thing of putting the focus back where it belongs.

Now having said all of the above, let me go on record to say that Angelina Jolie is H-O-T! Please note the difference. I cannot be the only one who things that a certain part of any person's anatomy can be unattractive but the person is still hot and sexy. Can I? Say it isn't so.

I find Jolie to be truly hot when she's not stick thin. When she is, she's one of the most unattractive persons in the universe (imho). Her body rocks, the bone structure of her face is uncommon (to some extent) and totally works for her.

I'm not especially blown away by her acting chops but she does a pretty decent job of it and is getting better with each film.

In as much as this might all be coming across as negative, that is not the case at all. I'm just being honest and I'm 100% honest when I state unequivocally that (outside of the love-triangle ordeal) I admire and respect Jolie deeply.

This affection was not just heaped upon her all willy-nilly. Jolie has earned my respect. I admire that she lives her life the way that she sees fit. I tip my hat to her holding her own. Standing her ground. Not giving a shit, no... not giving a fuck about what anyone deems unfit for her to be doing or wearing or thinking or saying, etc etc.

If there's anyone who wants to know what 'being comfortable in your own skin' means, just take a long hard look at Angelina Jolie. I cannot begin to express the magnitude of respect I have for people who are just that. Too many walk around trying to fit into a clique, a group, to be what someone else wants or approves of. And again I say, fuck it all and go Angie. You got my vote.

She's downright sexy. Any sexier than that and she'd be too sexy for her shirt, her car, her hat, her house, etc....

She lives her life the best way she knows how. She's not swayed by the press and other media. She's not overwrought by dictating family members. She's not running to change her hair or eyes or anything else to make people, fans, whoever flock to her side or heap praises upon her. For that, I will stand up and give kudos any given day, minute or hour.

Angelina Jolie is a true humanitarian in every sense of the word. Fuck the nay-sayers. Fuck them all. Seriously, just fuck it. It amazes me how people will just grab at anything to put a negative spin on something that they do not approve of.

Where is the wrong in adoption a parentless child? What's so bad about giving a child in need food to eat, clothes on his/her back, a good home and environment to grow up in. And it's gotta be some god-forsaken thing to love and nurture one of these kids right!

Caring about places on this earth and the people therein is some unforgivable sin that's gonna damn you to hell for sure. Right? Do I feel just a little strongly about this thing? Well, maybe just a little. What? Is it showing?

Angelina Jolie Voight was born on June 4, 1975. She was born in Los Angeles, California and is an actor and Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency. She is Slovak and German on her father's side and French Canadian on her mother's side. As a teenager she did some modelling and appeared in a number of music videos.

She started her acting career in 1982 alongside her father Jon Voight in the movie Lookin' to Get Out. She is probably best known for her roles in George Wallace (1997), Gia (1998), Girl Interrupted (1999), Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) which made her a household name and Mr. & Mrs. Smith which also brought her critical acclaim.

She is the winner of 3 Golden Globe Awards, 1 National Board Review Award, 2 Screen Actors Guild Awards, 1 Academy Award, 2 BET Awards, 1 Broadcast Film Critics Association Award, 1 Hollywood Film Festival Award, 1 L.A. Outfest Award, 1 MTV Award, 1 NRJ Cine Award, 1 People's Choice Award and 1 Teen Choice Award.

I think I've said/ranted quite enough today. Feel free to do the clicking thing on the images for a close up view.

Doing It 'Their' Way

Hottie Friday with a twist.

It's supposed to be 'Hottie Friday'. Yes I know, I know. But I figure since the week was filled with such hotness, that I'd change it up a bit for you. In fact, all of the women I'm about to bring to you are damn hot as well. I guess the only difference is that there's more of a seriousness to this Friday's blog. Yeah, that's it, just a more serious tone but still filled with hotness galore.

With all that said, my aim here is to present to you (in my humble opinion of course) women who I deem as trailblazers in their own right. Women, who despite everything else (what people think or have thought, said, done, printed, etc about them) have stood their ground and done what it is that they do. Women who weren't afraid to step out and just be who they are. Be comfortable in their own skin, if you will. Women, who despite all odds - stayed true to themselves, to what they believe in, to what they were/are passionate about. They've done it their way and are still at it. I doubt very much that any of these women need an introduction. So with all this preamble over, let me get right to it.

I present to you, pioneers in their own right.

Ellen Lee DeGeneres

Ellen is a stand-up comedian and actress. She has won an Emmy for her talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show and as of this year out-ranked talk show mogul Oprah Winfrey. She publicly announced that she was gay on Oprah's show back in 1997. She has become an icon for LGBT. She celebrated her 50th birthday on January 26 of this year. Her show is receiving awesome successes and she shows no sign of slowing down.

Oprah Gail Winfrey

There is very little (if any at all) that I could write about Oprah that has not already been written. So if you're expecting me to give details galore, it's not gonna happen. All I can mention is just how much I admire, respect and support all that she does. Oprah is so many things - business mogul, talk show empire ruler, book critic, humanitarian, actress, magazine publisher and so much more. She is even heralded the most influential woman in the world. Go Oprah!

Angelina Jolie

She was born Angelina Jolie Voight on June 4, 1975. She's an actress and Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency. She has almost always been a source of controversy because she's the type who lives her life the way she wants and doesn't get caught up in nor give any explanation for what she does with her life publicly or privately. I must confess that I'm no Jolie fan (if you're gonna hurl stones at me, at least let me finish this blog first). I'm not an admire of her work or other aspects of her life. I'll make this publicly known though. I admire her. I admire her grit. I admire her guts. I admire her balls! I admire the humanitarian that she is.

Tyra Banks

Besides being a drop-dead gorgeous supermodel, 34 year old Tyra Lynn Banks is a talk show host, actress, television personality and (wanna be) singer. She confesses that she's always wanted to sing but a single she released back in 2004 flopped so she quit that while she was behind. Throughout her career banks has always maintained that she is who she is and would not change that despite all of the pressure to be like other pencil thin models who were strutting their stuff down the runway. "Strut on" is all I have to say. She is also known for being one of the most influential women in the world. She's taken what she's learnt over the years and is now giving it back.

Vanessa L. Williams

Where do I begin with Vanessa Lynn Willams? So much I want to pack in here; so much I want to make stress. I'll be brief though. Vanessa made history back on September 17, 1983 by being the first African American to win the coveted crown of Miss America. I watched the show and I remember it like it was yesterday. I was ecstatic! I was proud! I was happy for her! She deserved it! What I also remember is her having to resign the title after photos of her posing for Playboy magazine surfaced. How I wanted to find the rat responsible. Nonetheless, the best was yet to come. Vanessa stuck it to them all by becoming a world famous singer and actress. And boy can she do both! You could say she went ahead and Saved The (Very) Best For Last! Oh, one more thing. At age 44, she was approached once more to pose nude and guess what, she's accepted. There's no greater way to 'STICK IT' to the Man or Woman as the case may be. A woman after my own heart.

Sarah Warn

Who is she you ask? Well only the leader of the pack with regard to LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bi-Sexual and Trans-gender) visibility on the World Wide Web. Yep, a pioneer in her own right. She holds a BA in Women's Studies from Wellesley College and Masters in Theological Studies from Harvard University. She is the founder AfterEllen.com and AfterElton.com. She sold both these sites to Logo back in 2006. She is the Editor in Chief of AfterEllen and an Executive Producer at Logo. Sarah and her staff do a magnificient job in keeping the members, readers and viewers AfterEllen informed and entertained at all times.

Jodie Foster

(I am so tempted to dub her Dame Jodie Foster). Alicia Christian Foster is an actress, director and producer. She has won a few awards as testament to her acting skills. However, it's not her work in film that I wish to highlight but the way in which she has handled her private life in a world where all celebrities' lives is the target of publicity. Especially since she was a child star (which means that the press had a lot more years than usual to try to delve into hers). She made the transition from child to adult star effortlessly and has never (to my knowledge) been involved in any negativity (drugs, alchol abuse, etc.). She has remained level-headed and grounded to this day. Her sexual preference has always been a target of many an interviewer since she lives with her two songs and a female counterpart. In an acceptance speech at the Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment breakfast back in December of 2007, she made headlines when she thanked Cydney Bernard who she referred to as "my beautiful Cydney, who sticks with me through the rotten and the bliss."

Tina Fey

Elizabeth Stamatina Fey is no A-Lister nor is she some great business mogul or activist. So where I am going with this? Well, Tina Fey is simply a comedian. Oh, and she's a writer too. She wrote for Saturday Night Live and now for 30 Rock - a show she co-produces and stars in. She's included here because Fey has just simply always done it her way. She's not swayed by what's in or out, what the others are doing, what the others might think or say. If you've watched her over the years, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about and what I mean. She's not afraid to push the ticket at all. She includes quips in support of gays and other serious matters every opportunity she gets in her shows. She has built up quite a reputation and following but it never ceases to amaze me how much she doesn't let it faze her. This is her most admirable trait to me.

Hope I didn't bore you to tears with this and trust the weekend brings enjoyment, relaxation and fulfilment.

Jackie Chan's Women

A lot has been written about the (James) Bond women, however, over the years Jackie Chan (who's movies happen to be my all time favs) has been bringing us gorgeous women for over 3 decades. If you want proof, take a look at these:

From Mr. Nice Guy (1997) Miki Lee


Gorgeous (1999) Qi Shu


Shanghi Noon (2000) Lucy Lui


The Accidental Spy (2001) Min Kim


He went way out on Rush Hour 2 (2001) by given us a lot more than usual and you definitely won't hear a complaint from me:
The oh-so-beautiful Zhang Ziyi


The ever gorgeous Roselyn Sanchez


The lovely Lisa LoCicero

and the magnificent Maggie Q

We got a double dose in The Tuxedo (2002) with Jennifer Love Hewitt

and Mia Cottet

Shanghi Knights (2003) gave us Fann Wong

The Medallion (2003) introduced me to this beauty - Claire Forlani (what's up with ladies named Claire - they're so damn sexy). She also has that Lena Headey eyes going on or is that just me?

Then he did the 'Twin-Spin' in Lord of Armor (2004) with Charlene Choi

and Gillian Chung

I was glued to my seat for the duration of The Myth (2005) with this sizzling Indian beauty - Mallika Sherawat *swoon*

Rush Hour 3 (2007). Feeling a lil Shahi anyone? Huh anyone? Yeah I thought so.

There's no way on earth that I'm able to post just one Sarah, so hear goes... (damn my knees - *swoon* *thud* - I apologize but I'm totally helpless here)

RH3 also gave us Youki Kudoh

The Forbidden Kingdom is in post production and is set to be released 18 April 2008 and will give us Yifei Liu

Chan is currently working on Kung Fu Panda which will be released 6 June 2008. The animated film will feature the voice of Lucy Lui and Angelina Jolie. Sorry Jolie fans, but only the voice. However, in an effort to appease you, I give you this:

I figure since Chan shows no sign of slowing down that I might as well throw a couple suggestions his way for his very near future films.

Good suggestions? Yay or nay?