Lately I've been thinking about lover Cindi on The L Word. Well, not Cindi herself, but the "lover" thing. It's hilarious every time Dawn Denbo says it, mostly because the word lover has gone out of favor. It used to be a common term in the gay community — or anywhere, really. Especially in the '70s.

But now lover has the connotation of "f--- buddy," while partner or girlfriend is generally the preferred term for the people you want to keep around for more than just sex. Or at least that's how it seems to me.

So what makes a partner, and what makes a lover? Armed with my trusty (and dusty) DVD collection, I have conducted a sort of survey. I don't suppose it's educational in any way, but it was fun.

1. Cay and Vivian (Patricia Charbonneau and Helen Shaver), Desert Hearts

I just had to begin with a tricky one, didn't I? Cay and Vivian definitely start out as lovers, but if Vivian had stayed, they might have become partners. Still, when I think of them, I don't think of fun times or tender touches or home improvement. I think of steamy sex and mind-bogglingly deep kisses.

Verdict: Lovers (they have to remind themselves to stop long enough to get some food!)

2. Claude and Lucy (Alison Folland and Leisha Hailey), All Over Me

These two are so cute, I don't care what you call them. But when they walk along with their ice cream and Leisha grins like that, it seems like a love that's built to last.

Verdict: Partners (in a happily ever after sense)

3. Corky and Violet (Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly), Bound

Hmm. These two are carnal and star-crossed, but they also seem destined to be together. And the sizzle is accompanied by a sense that they're on the same wavelength — they have a meeting of bodies and minds. I think I have my first tie.

Verdict: Partner-lovers (lesbian bed death will never strike!)

4. Agnes and Elin (Rebecka Liljeberg and Alexandra Dahlström), Show Me Love / F---ing Amal … continue reading

On Thursday night, Queer Black Cinema presents a screening of Don't Go, a new TV series from writer-director Amber Sharp. The series captures the lives of several people in a Los Angeles apartment complex. The diverse cast includes familiar names such as Skyler Cooper, Guinevere Turner (The L Word, Go Fish), Melange Lavonne and Nisha Ganatra (Chutney Popcorn).

Here's the trailer: … continue reading

I'm usually in need of inspiration on Mondays. What better way to get it than to peruse some pretty pictures? Let's start with the new poster for The Other Boleyn Girl, starring Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman.

I think that green dress must really be the other Boleyn girl, because it's taking up the whole damn poster. And Scarlett's lips are looking huge, even for her. But who am I kidding? All I can really see here are the names Johansson and Portman on the same poster. I'm in. … continue reading

Food. Competition. Food. Hot women. Food. Really, what’s not to love? I can’t wait for Bravo’s Top Chef finale tonight, and I don’t mind telling you that I am all in with team Casey.

Not that I have anything against Dale and his mini-hawk cuteness. Sadly, I cannot say the same for Hung. That dude needs to get taken down a rung, or 12. If he wins, they’ll have to change the title to Insufferable Chef instead. … continue reading

Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty is having a big year.

U.K. audiences may know her best from Celebrity Big Brother; audiences elsewhere might also remember her from that, what with complaints about racist comments directed toward her in the Big Brother house. Shetty went on to win the series. Here's that moment: … continue reading

I admit it; like many around here, I'm a sucker for a good sports film. No matter how formulaic the plot (The underdog wins! The team doesn't win but learns a valuable lesson!), win or lose I'm usually choked up by the end of the Big Game. So I was excited to read about Chak de India, a new Bollywood film that has both box office and critical success. The sports movie genre is rare for Bollywood, as is showing its leading ladies in sweaty, dirty conditions. But this film is loosely based on the true story of an Indian women's field hockey team and its coach.

And how great is this image?

In the movie, the girls must find a way to unite despite their differences and overcome obstacles such as class, ethnic, and gender bias. The movie is also about a nation as underdog. The team plays its way to a championship in an international field where the girls must earn respect for their country, and it's no coincidence that the film's release date coincides with the 60th anniversary of India's independence from British colonial rule.

Here's one promo. I couldn't find this particular version with subtitles, but one beauty of sports movies is that you can always tell what's going on anyway. … continue reading

Yeah, I can't believe it's headline news either. But TMZ.com busted Michelle Rodriguez earlier this week — exiting a bookstore and sauntering down the street without causing any sort of ruckus. Also, she was walking with a "gal pal," aka another woman in close proximity. Believe it or not, the clip is posted all over celeb websites (watch it here).

So. What did we learn from this?

Um. Maybe, Michelle Rodriguez knows how to read. Wait. Why is this surprising? Because some people expect girls, especially pretty girls, particularly hot young stars, to be illiterate? Or because Rodriguez likes to have a good time and sit down with the occasional book? Surely a mix of the above qualities in one woman isn't that astounding. Just ask Missy Elliott, Aishwarya Rai, or Julia Stiles.

… continue reading