A Little Of The Old In And Out



In: Mickey Rourke. Mickey didn't quite manage to bring off the redemption story of the decade -- actor pisses of the awesome Page Six; actor subsequently winds up borrowing $200 for McDonald's Big Macs; actor then wins Oscar -- but his career choices post-nomination (not including quixotically dating Courtney Love) are exemplary. Rourke is doing a big budget film (Iron Man 2), and keeping it real with another Indie, scripted by a solid, respected writer. And the big budget film is not just to pay for the mortgage and get some financial security (although that comes along with the ride), but it is a highly anticipated blockbuster done up by a good director at the top of his game. From The Hollywood Reporter:

"Mickey Rourke keeps wrestling down the gigs.

"The resurgent actor has attached himself to 'Passion Plays,' in what will mark the first dramatic role he has signed on for since winning a Golden Globe and other kudos for his performance in 'The Wrestler.'

"Mitch Glazer will write and direct the indie tale, the logline of which is being kept under wraps. The film is said to be seeking a female lead opposite Rourke.

"Glazer is the screenwriter behind the Al Pacino CIA saga 'The Recruit' and the Bill Murray holiday comedy 'Scrooged.' Both Rourke and Glazer are repped by ICM.

"Rourke's reps also confirmed Wednesday that he closed a deal for 'Iron Man 2,' in which he will play the Russian villain to Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark."

So he didn't implode as the Vegas odds were calling it. That's bad news for the snarky blogs, but good news for Rourke.



Out: Chinese Naval Aggression. What the fuck were they thinking? It seems to now be a tradition that each incoming administration will face these charmingly primate tests of sheer Chimp masculinity (Averted Gaze). He who blinks first, evidently, is no longer alpha power in the South and East Chinese Seas (is that how it works out?) -- how .. delightfully National Geographic Channel (Exaggerated cough suggesting feigned detachment). From ForeignPolicy:

"China’s bold and dangerous maneuvers against the USNS Impeccable, a U.S. Navy military survey vessel, which was operating about 120 km from the island of Hainan in the East China Sea is the latest salvo in China’s ongoing campaign to upset traditional notions of freedom of navigation in order to deny access to its coastal waters, or littorals, by foreign warships, and aircraft. The event marks the first test of the Obama administration regarding China’s efforts to reshape the international law of the sea.

"Following the Cold War, the littorals have emerged as the primary maritime battleground for peace and stability. International law, as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, recognizes that all states enjoy the right to conduct military activities throughout the near shore environment -- generally beyond the 12 nautical mile (nm) territorial sea and extending out to 200 nm (one nm = 1.85 km). This coastal zone is the primary operating area for 'Seabasing,' amphibious, expeditionary, and littoral operations, and generally encompasses the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of a coastal state, a special resource zone created by the Law of the Sea. Although coastal states have exclusive rights to exploit natural resources in the zone, they cannot claim a security interest in the area, agreed Shen Dingli, director of the Center of American Studies at Shanghai’s Fudan University. Regardless, China wants to exert control that extends beyond its economic interests, creating the potential for conflict with the U.S. Navy."

We cannot fail to note that the US Navy doused the Chinese ship with hoses after getting too close. The Chinese Navy responded by stripping to their undergarments, which, mirabile dictu, were not in a twist. More here.



("Gavy" at Twitter via guestofaguest)

In: Mayor Gavin Newsom, Status Seeker. The most dangerous place in American politics is between the Zelig-like SF Mayor Gavin Newsom and a live camera. Watching Gavin Newsom social climb up the spiral staircase that is the American political ladder is the most delicious parlor game of the past few weeks. The lust!

But we do have to give the political New Jack Hustler kudos for having an advanced degree of taste for a politician (Averted Gaze), hawking his wares in the most stylish of media outlets. Mayor Newsom has elevated his cool factor incrementally, with what can only be properly construed as "the pimpy eye," appearing on Bill Maher's show, and now he ghas managed, 'neath our social radar, into the Twitter offices -- a Mayoral coup! -- which is about as cool a space as backstage at Jimmy Fallon's oddly hip teevee show right about now. From GuestofaGuest:

"I can hardly contain my excitement with today’s Nerd Alert Report. Photos inside the actual offices of Twitter?! YIPPEE! It’s like Nerd Porn. Twitter is becoming so popular that the mayor of San Francisco, Gavin Newsom figured it was time to pay the office a visit."

Who was manning security?