Mamas! Pick the cutest young men ever

UPDATE: CUTE JERRY TRAINOR VIDEO ADDED.

I watch a lot of my daughter’s favourite shows and movies with her. For one thing, you can stay a little closer to what your kid is viewing. Second, you get to watch a bunch of the cutest boys-to-men and fantasize about your daughter’s future BFs. Or yourself. Or whatever.

The thing is, during viewing time you are never allowed to utter, “OMG, he’s soooooo cute.” This will invariably result in a chorus of “Eeeuw, eeuw, eeuw” or the stinging rebuke “MOTHER!”

So since we can’t talk about this subject with our kids, how about a list?

Here’s my pick of the studliest young guys in TV and movieland right now, from 10 to 1.

10. Robert Hoffman

Cute and hilarious as the despicable boyfriend in this summer’s insipid Aliens in the Attic.

 

9. The Massey Brothers, Christopher and Kyle

Definitely not your average stud muffins and it’s nice to see some chunkier guys out there. Have always loved the bros on each of their television series—Zoey 101 (Christopher) and That’s So Raven and Cory in the House (Kyle).

8. Michael Seater

The star of Life With Derek has the softie-under-an-arrogant-exterior thing down pat. The only Canadian on our list too cuz George Stroumboulopoulos was too old. (Sorry, George. I do love you.)

 

 

7. Nathan Kress

Who could resist that face? Can’t wait to see him at age 25. As techno-geek Freddy on the pre-teen hit icarly, Kress gets points for growing cuter each year.

 

6. Ricky Ullman

The star of Phil of the Future, now in re-runs. Mother’s idea of the perfect boyfriend for either gender.

 

5. Robert Pattinson

Had to put him on the list, though I don’t like every photo of him. Can’t wait to see the brooding charm return in New Moon, though.

 

4. Tom Felton

Yup, I chose Tom, who plays Malfoy instead of Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Harry Potter. Another unconventional face that just doesn’t quit.

 

3. Joe Jonas

Hands-down, the most gorgeous Jonas Brother (over-the-top, old-school, chiseled movie-star gorgeous) and who wouldn’t love a guy who’d put on tights and high-heels and dance to Beyonce’s Single Ladies just for the fans?

 

2. Elijah Kelley

Speakin’ of dancing, in our #2 spot is Elijah Kelley, Seaweed on Hairspray–way hunkier and sexier than Zac any time. Love this guy. . .and the moves.

 

1. Jerry Trainor

Another icarly cast member (Spencer) and practically my reason for creating this list.

Every time Jerry shows up, mother can’t shut up about how adorable this guy is—the perfect combination of cute and funny. (I mean, really, she can’t shut up.)

So there you have it. Weigh in. Disagree vehemently. Add your own hunks. Get the blood goin’ on a Monday and let us know what busts your cute-o-meter.

Filed under: films, kids, life, music , Christopher Massey, cutest young men, Elijah Kelley, Jerry Trainor, Joe Jonas, Kyle Massey, Mamas pick, Michael Seater, movies, Nathan Kress, Ricky Ullman, Robert Hoffman, Robert Pattinson, Tom Felton, TV

Tree assembly: check, Babes in Toyland: check

Well, we got the Shopping Channel tree up and the cats have neither a rock-climbing wall nor a bench but they do have a box to hop into. And I have to say, the tree is pretty good. This is my first year with an artificial one and all in good time too. A few days ago I read a notice in our elevator reminding us that real trees are not allowed in the building.

This one is 7.5 feet, pre-lit, with branches, berries and cones. It’s sounds like overkill but it’s all pretty subtle. While we had a hard time finding all the connections to get the whole thing lit up, once it was connected it was quite a beauty to behold. It’s snowing outside now–big puffy flakes–and Simone watched a remake of Babes in Toyland with Drew Barrymore that was quite good (not as good, of course, as the original Laurel and Hardy version).

I’ve been meaning to tell those of you with little ones (7 and under) that if you come across the 1974 version of The Year Without a Santa Claus–buy it. It’s too cute for words. We watch it every year. It’s done with puppetry and features the voices of Mickey Rooney and Shirley Booth.

Well, this is a quick post. More tomorrow.

Kori and Erin, thank you for commiserating with me yesterday! I feel better today. Even slept in.

Filed under: cats, films, kids, solo life , Babes in Toyland, lights, Mickey Rooney, Shirley Booth, Shopping Channel, snow, The Year Without a Santa Claus, tree

Bite me, Vampire

I’m a pushover for a good plot and admire writers who can spin an old standby into something new and fresh. That’s exactly what Stephenie Meyer has done with the teen phenom Twilight, soon to be in a theatre near you.

Teen girl meets hunky teen vampire who DOESN’T want to sink his teeth into her neck but then sucks the poison out of her when a bad vampire does.

Youza. . .how’s that for taking the subject we know vampire movies are really about–sex, sex, and more sex–and making it even more irresistible to a young woman’s imagination.

All those longing looks.

All that sexual tension. . .the desire, the reluctance, the need to fall into the abyss and feel safe at the same time.

They don’t do it, but then–ooops! They do! (But it’s not her fault–I mean, what the heck, he’s just sucking venom out of her.) You know there was a time when literature fulfilled this very purpose of letting them read it off.

My daughter’s not part of this fad but I could be, and if I get silly there’s always Twilight Moms to comfort and guide me on the correct road to ravishment. (I told you’d I’d get silly.) However, if I stumble on questions like this on the TM forum. . .

“A friend and I sat at Starbuck’s today, speculating about the crescent shaped scars that Bella and Jasper both have from vampire bites. So, what do you think? How large would the scars be, and what shape. . .”

. . .Sensible Mother may emerge. Honey. Give it a rest. You have ringworm.

Anyway, they were lined up in TO when the stars rolled into town last week for an autograph fest. I’ll never get Sim into this movie and I don’t even know what it’s rated. All I know is. . .I’m goin’!

Filed under: films, kids, life , Bite Me, plot, ringworm, sex, Stephenie Meyer, Twilight, Twilight Moms, vampire

Eyes Wide Shut 2: Domino is the masked woman

Eyes Wide Shut was on again on Bravo and this time I made it to the point where Tommy was ordered to strip. And now I’ve come up with three compelling reasons why Domino is the masked woman who redeems Cruise by offering up herself–NOT Amanda.

Vinessa Shaw as Domino

Reason 1

Cruise’s character redeemed Domino by paying her the $150 she quoted even though they didn’t have sex. In other words, he redeemed her by acknowledging her time and company as worthwhile–not just her vagina. Later, at the party, she redeems him. “Redeem” is the word Kubrick uses. Tit for tat.

Reason 2

Apparently Domino is HIV+. Of course, we only learn this the night after Tommy’s adventure. BUT–Domino might suspect it already. Think of her infecting the sex party hypocrites she’s probably totally sick of. Opposite of redemption: revenge.

Reason 3

Would Cruise really make a lasting impression on Amanda in that early scene in Ziegler’s room? I mean, if you liked speedballs like Amanda does, would you remember some clean-cut doctor who lectured you to go to rehab? I think not. I think Amanda probably thinks Tommy is a big idiot. Besides, she was barely conscious. No reason for her to come to his defence at the big house.

So those are my three reasons. Now I may go get the book the film is based on and see if I can suss out any more info.

Filed under: films , Amanda, Domino, Eyes Wide Shut, Kubrick, redeem, sex, Tom Cruise, Vinessa Shaw

Eyes Wide Shut always makes for little shut-eye

Eyes Wide Shut was on last night again. Like many Kubrick films, this one has the power to carry me away. I detach completely from my surroundings and enter the film. When the characters threaten to pitch over the railing, I go too.

 

It’s a loooong movie, and last night I made it only as far as Cruise being warned away from the steamy masked ball by the mysterious woman in head-feathers (and little else). And that’s when it hit me: this film is so Hitchcock. For years, I’ve believed that the masked woman could be any one of the blondes Cruise encounters that night in New York. She could be

• Helena Harford (if she straightened her hair)
• Amanda
• Domino
• Milich’s daughter (although that would be a stretch)

After all, Domino wasn’t there the next time Cruise showed up at her apartment, which could work with the timeline. This house-of-mirrors blondes effect is the same one used in Vertigo, where Kim Novak as Madeleine re-emerges as brunette-to-blonde Judy Barton. It’s really a shame that people keep insisting it was Amanda; it gets way more interesting when you consider the logistics of it being someone else.

Over the years, I’ve become more impressed with Tom Cruise in this role. He’s really quite awkward and bumbling, which is exactly what is required of the part. However, I just detest the casting of Nicole Kidman. In retrospect, I would have liked to have seen Renée Zellweger cast in the role of Alice.

Filed under: films , blondes, Eyes Wide Shut, Hitchcock, Kim Novak, Nicole Kidman, Renée Zellweger, Tom Cruise, Vertigo