“Tyson”, the new documentary about the troubled career of boxer Mike Tyson, made its debut last week at the Cannes Film Festival. Filmmaker James Toback uses his second documentary to take an intimate look at a subject he knows well, the former Heavyweight Champion of the World. The two first met in 1987 when actor Anthony Michael Hall brought Tyson to the set of “The Pick Up Artist”, which Toback was directing. What has ensued is a 20+ year friendship culminating in the film.

There is only one interview in “Tyson”, with Tyson himself, who with a Maori tattoo surrounding his left eye, gives often shocking, profanity laced accounts of a life filled with enormous ups and downs. Stories of becoming Heavyweight Champ, blowing through $300-400 Million, being convicted of raping ex-wife Robin Givens (a charge denied by both Tyson and Toback), and biting Evander Holyfield’s ear of, not once, but twice are all recounted by the former boxer.

Read the rest of this entry »

As a stand-up comedian I’d like to think I have a good sense of humor and I’m fairly certain that WayOutTV’s Abortion Man video is not funny. It’s sick. It’s sad. It’s not however funny. It’s also on a site created by Damon Wayans. You know Damon Wayans? He had that lovely family oriented show called “My Wife and Kids”? Well now he has a site that embraces videos about attacking women and involuntarily killing their unborn kids. Classy.

I’d post the video here but I refuse to give it anymore face time. Essentially the hilarious sketch goes like this:

Basically, a young guy gets a call from his girlfriend, who reveals that she is pregnant. The guy mutters “Get rid of that sh*t,” but then tells the young woman in question he’s “enthused about the whole situation.” He hangs up the phone, and, Ã la Superman, runs to the window and yells “Help!” Enter Abortion Man, who wears a T-shirt displaying a fetus with a line through it. Abortion Man comes to the rescue by accosting the young woman in question, saying “Ah-hah! I have you now, fiend!” and then punching her. In the belly. When she falls to the ground, he stomps on her. And a bloody fetus flies out, into the bushes. [Salon.com]

The video is not even pro-choice or pro-life, it’s just disappointing and gross.

I first heard of this horse sh*t thanks to good ol’ Jezebel that shares this insight:

Read the rest of this entry »

Vanilla Ice was arrested for domestic violence claims at his Palm Beach County, Florida home yesterday evening. The rapper turned reality TV star, whose real name is Robert Van Winkle, was booked by Palm Beach County police after his wife Laura Van Winkle called the authorities on him, saying he had punched and kicked her - she later changed her story, saying he had only pushed her.

Police reports indicate the couple were at the tail end of a 2 day argument, apparently over Laura’s purchase of a children’s bedroom set, when police were called in. Vanilla Ice had been previously arrested on a domestic battery charge in Broward County, Florida in 2004.

Read the rest of this entry »

For me, clothing is another way to express myself so I especially love finding fashion that makes a clear, strong, social statement.

So I was thrilled to find the site www.bodyasbillboard.com. Founded and run by Periel Aschenbrand, this native New Yorker has found the formula to use apparel as advertising for women’s issues.

Aschenbrand infamous first design was a tee she simply made for herself sporting the slogan “The Only Bush I Trust Is My Own”. That shirt was noticed by a trendy LA shop owner who requested that Achenbrand make more and sell those shirts in her shop. Soon feminist icons such as Gloria Steinem, Susan Sarandon, and Betsey Johnson began sporting her thought-provoking tops.

Read the rest of this entry »

I am thrilled to hear the latest news about Nicole Kidman, just in time for Valentine’s Day! In case you missed the news, I’ll give you some hints about what the star told the people attending Germany’s Cinema For Peace ceremony last night. 1) Nicole is feeling some maternal instincts, 2) is going to be delivering something precious some time within the next 9 months, and 3) is looking forward to watching that something grow. Did you figure it out yet? Of course, I’m talking about Nicole’s announcement that she’s expecting– expecting people from all around the world to Say No to Violence Against Women!

Read the rest of this entry »