Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
Analysis of magazine articles
Ben Affleck does a little spin control in the February issue of Premiere. He interviews himself in the cover story, presenting two sets of answers to each question–as himself, and as “interview guy,” the congenial but rather butt-headed Affleck to which readers have grown accustomed.
Just a couple of years ago, Leonardo DiCaprio was the world’s most famous movie star. The actor will test the waters again with “The Beach,” which opens Friday. In the February issue of Premiere, DiCaprio, 25, comes across not as the party boy that the tabloids present, but as a young man who takes his craft seriously–though not himself.
Not sure whether Jude Law is the most handsome man alive? Then check out the photos of Law in the February issue of Paper. If they don’t convince you, the story–which obsesses on the actor’s good looks–probably will. Law, who was the best thing about the overwrought Matt Damon flick “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” says that fame hasn’t eased his schedule any.
What a shot to attract even more female tweens: a photo of the incredibly photogenic Freddie Prinze Jr. sitting on rose petals with the accompanying quote, “Girls don’t have to be thin to be hot.” The February issue of Seventeen magazine is a definite eye grabber.
“Girls in L.A. don’t eat anything,” he says in the cover story.
Accompanied by stark, black-and-white photos of girls so young that their bodies are not yet developed, the Marie Claire article carries the optimistic title “Children Rescued from Prostitution.” After finishing the piece, the reader wonders whether these kids are ever rescued from their horrific lives.
Courtney Thorne-Smith looks her usual perky, gorgeous self in the February issue of Shape. But the interview may as well not exist. In a pithy question and answer session with the “Ally McBeal” star, Celeste Fremon conducts a less-than-satisfactory interview. We learn that Thorne-Smith “spent years debating whether to get a boob reduction,” wishes that her arms were thinner and wakes up at 5:30 a.m. to run for an hour every day. And this would be interesting because . . . ?
The February issue of More contains a hilarious account of one woman’s revenge against a younger man who dumped her. “Romantic rejection is a staggering blow,” writes Benita Gold. “It rattles the self-esteem and can drive one to do strange and otherwise unthinkable things. Perhaps this explains why I pretended to my ex-boyfriend that I was dating Peter Jennings.”
The winter issue of National Geographic Adventure includes a fascinating article written by Phil Caputo, who recounts what it was like returning to the battlefields of Vietnam to make peace with the ghost of the 23-year-old platoon leader he once was_and with the past that haunts him still.
You never know what you’re getting with TLC. In the January issue of Sister 2 Sister, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes is quoted as saying, “I’m the creative force behind TLC.” That’s not even the best part. In the 12-page cover story, Lopes rebuts quotes her bandmates gave to another magazine, saying that she “doesn’t stick with us.”
The November issue of Mode features “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” co-star Caroline Rhea on its cover. The congenial, transplanted Canadian speaks about her friendship with “The Practice” star Camryn Manheim, her upcoming marriage next year and, of course, fashion.