Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
Jet Li. Jackie Chan. Donnie Yen. Quick. Which one of these action film stars grew up in the United States? Or, more appropriately, which one of these stars had to leave the United States before he could make a name for himself in Hollywood? That would be Yen. Sure, while he’s not as famous in the United States as either Li or Chan, he has a loyal following worldwide and an impressive resume of films — the best of which were made in Hong Kong.
Kim Possible is kind of a mix between Sabrina the teenage witch and Buffy the vampire slayer. Cute, perky and very athletic, this cartoon character is a popular high school cheerleader by day and a crime fighter at night.
This summer has been ruled by the house of Usher. With his hits “Burn” and “Confessions Part II,” the sultry R&B singer with the rock-hard abs turned his breakup with TLC’s Chili into chart-topping success.
That song, that summer. Flash back to any summer of your life and there’s always one tune that defines these months. With a few weeks left, USHER seems to have a lock on 2004.
Every season, women shudder at the thought of what New York, Paris and Milan will conjure up for us to wear. When designers are feeling particularly cruel, they insist we wedge ourselves into jeans that ride so low they make the plumber’s-butt pants appear demure by comparison. Thank goodness this fall is all about lady-like glamor and comfort. Skirts are long and lean. Pants are loose with wider legs. And dresses are delicate and figure-flattering.
Sports fans know of French Lick as the hometown of basketball legend Larry Bird. But during a period that lasted from the late 1800s to the 1950s, the small Midwestern city was as famous for its swanky visitors as its natural spring water. Pluto Water, as it was dubbed, wasn’t like the mineral water we’re accustomed to today. The sulfur-rich drink was more of a diuretic than a refreshing thirst quencher. Hence, its slogan: “When nature won’t, Pluto will.” Guests were encouraged to carry canes during their morning walks. When nature called — and apparently it called quite often after a glassful of Pluto Water — it was considered the polite thing to place your cane on the outhouse door to indicate it was occupied. It was rude in those days to knock on a bathroom door.
In the most visually stunning moment of the evening, a model languidly “flew” high across the stage wearing a luxurious red gown with a 45-foot train trailing behind her. Was she a bride or a member of Cirque du Soleil?
“Doom 3” is not for the faint of heart. Nor is it particularly subtle. But if you like films such as “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” “Nightmare on Elm Street” or even those “Alien” flicks, you’ll probably get a kick from this well-worn franchise.
Look out for the lady in red. Make that ladies in red. At this year’s Glamorama, 30 of fashion’s top designers will showcase their one-of-a-kind red gowns, which will be auctioned off later to benefit the Art Institute of Chicago (see sidebar for more information).
Marlene Dietrich knew how to wear one. So did Katherine Hepburn and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. But do modern-day women such as First Lady Laura Bush, Elizabeth Edwards and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton know how to work a pant suit?