Culturebox: The Cameron Diaz Factor

Now playing: Slate V, a video-only site from the world's leading online magazine. Visit Slate V at www.slatev.com.
culturebox The Cameron Diaz Factor What's the best kind of movie to watch on TV? By Jessica Grose Posted Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011, at 7:31 AM ET On a recent evening, I was scrolling through the channels in the outer reaches of my cable package, looking for something to watch. It was at the end of a long day and I didn't want to see something new, or anything that was challenging or upsetting--I passed right by Noah Baumach's Greenberg and the Coen brothers' Blood Simple. What I wanted to do was shut my brain off and be comforted while my butt melted into the couch cushions. So I was delighted to find The Sweetest Thing, the bawdy buddy flick starring Cameron Diaz, Christina Applegate, and Selma Blair, playing on one of the 14 different kinds of HBO my husband and I have. During the spring of 2003, I watched The Sweetest Thing almost every day, because it was one of three or four movies my university's internal television station played on rotation. Even so, I can't help watching it every time it's on TV. Mind you, I am not saying The Sweetest Thing is a good movie, not by any critical standards. It has a dismal rating of 32 on Metacritic. Reviewing the movie back in 2002, Roger Ebert wrote: "This is not a good movie." It's certainly not the kind of movie you want to own on DVD--I would never actually seek it out, and frankly I'd be embarrassed to have it on my shelf. I tend to purchase aspirationally, going for the Criterion-approved movies I want to want to see again (Jules et Jim, for example). The Sweetest Thing is also not the kind of movie that needs to be seen in a theater. There are no major special effects. The only thing that's visually interesting about TST is the part when Diaz and Applegate dance around in their underwear to "The Pina Colada Song." To continue reading, click here. Jessica Grose is an associate editor at Slate and the managing editor of DoubleX. She is the co-author of Love, Mom: Poignant, Goofy, Brilliant Messages From Home. Follow her on Twitter here. Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum What did you think of this article? POST A MESSAGE | READ MESSAGES Also In Slate Dickerson: Neither Obama Nor the Republicans Have Explained Why Cutting the Deficit Matters Why Modern Apostasy--Like Paul Haggis' Split with Scientology--Is So Unusual How LCD Soundsystem Is Trying To Foil Ticket Scalpers	Advertisement
Manage your newsletters on Slate Unsubscribe | Newsletter Center | Advertising Information Please do not reply to this message since this is an unmonitored e-mail address. If you have questions about newsletters, please go here.
Ideas on how to make something better? Send an e-mail to newsletters@slate.com. Copyright 2010 Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive Co. LLC | Privacy Policy Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive | c/o E-mail Customer Care | 1150 15th Street NW | Washington, D.C. 20071

How to Stop Hiding Behind Your Spiritual Gifts -- February 16, 2011

Daily Update

Crosswalk Home  |  Devotionals  |  Bible Study Tools  |  Who Is Jesus?

Wednesday, February 16, 2011  Send to a Friend    Mobile    Free Newsletters

Spiritual Life 'Just Do It': How to Stop Hiding Behind Your Spiritual Gifts Joy Allmond Spiritual gifts are very important and quite crucial to how we serve. But if we aren't careful, we can make excuses to be idle if the task doesn't exactly fit what we believe to be our spiritual gifts. Read the full article here Faith and The Church Reminders Are More Effective Than Rebukes Tullian Tchividjian The real reason I hate "accountability groups" is because the primary focus is always on our sin, not on our Savior. Because of this, these groups breed self-righteousness, guilt, and the almost irresistible temptation to pretend–to be less than honest... Read the full article here Why Aren't Christians Smarter? Andrew Tallman We have the only true religion, we have a Book which is responsible for Western Civilization, and we serve the Supreme Champion. Shouldn't we be smarter? Read the full article here I'm a Complementarian, But... Women Can Be Deacons Thabiti Anyabwile The pattern of leadership in the church should be qualified men serving as elders. This is not at odds with women serving as deacons. But if the church does not have elders, and instead deacons perform the teaching and oversight that biblically belongs to elders, then women should not serve as deacons. Read the full article here Career & Finance Prevent Virtue from Becoming Vice Steve Diggs The devil is a very easy master to please. He really doesn't care which sin we choose. He's cool with whichever side of the road we run off. Read the full article here Finding Freedom from the Love of Money Steve Scalici, CFP(r) Is it wrong to want money? Not necessarily. It's when we begin to love money that we cross the line. Financial expert Steve Scalici explores what love of money looks like, and why it will always fall short of love for God. Read the full article here If Your Life Isn't Working Out Dan Miller Success is never an accident. It typically starts as imagination, becomes a dream, stimulates a goal, grows into a plan of action. Read the full article here Today's Devotional Hope in a Fallen World (from "Parenting by Design") Never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done (Gen. 8:21). Man is still inclined to do evil, and God continues to be both righteous and loving. Read the full article here Watch more Christian Video Sermons & Messages from Ministries on LightSource.com   •  Free Christian Book •  A degree will make a difference! •  The Christian Private Health Care Option •  Orphans need your help! •  Free Publishing Guide Crosswalk.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including: • OnePlace.com • LightSource.com • ChristianJobs.com • CrossCards.com • SermonSearch.com • Christianity.com

Send a FREE Ecard! More FREE Ecards What Love Is Chocolate Valentine 1 Corinthians 13:13 God Loves You!

Trips for Photography Enthusiasts

Click here to see images. February 2011   The results are in from our latest Expedition Moments Photography Contest! Check out the winning photograph (above) and the gallery of finalists. Then get into the field with a National Geographic photographer to hone your own skills. Join Jay Dickman in Santa Fe during a weeklong workshop, or hit the streets with Tyrone Turner for our upcoming weekend workshop in New Orleans. Take a look at our broad range of photography workshops and expeditions designed for photographers of all levels. GRAND PRIZE WINNER: Congratulations to Philip Dien of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, grand prize winner of our latest Expedition Moments Photography Contest! Traveling on our Land of the Polar Bears expedition last summer, Philip snapped an incredible shot (pictured above) of a mother polar bear shaking dry after giving her cub a lift across the bay. Browse our gallery to see our other two winning photographs and the fantastic shots from around the world that made it to our final round. Our Photography Workshops are led by a top National Geographic photographer and cater to those who seek intensive instruction. Learn to take magazine-quality photos through field assignments, daily edit-and-critique sessions, and the insights of our experts. Santa Fe Photography Workshop with National Geographic photographer Jay Dickman 7 Days • March 13–19, 2011 With its stunning scenery, vibrant Southwest culture, and radiant light, Santa Fe provides an ideal setting for our weeklong photography workshops. Capture traditional adobe homes and the spectacular landscape near Ghost Ranch, and go on a photo shoot in a recreated Old West town. Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Jay Dickman provides instruction along the way, and leads daily edit-and-critique sessions. Learn more.   Weekend Photography Workshop in New Orleans with National Geographic photographer Tyrone Turner 4 Days • April 14–17, 2011 From its French-influenced architecture to its swinging jazz rhythms, New Orleans’ lively blend of cultures makes it a fantastic photography destination. Hit the streets on photo shoots with Tyrone Turner, a native of New Orleans and an award-winning photojournalist. Learn more. Tyrone has shot images of New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou for several National Geographic magazine articles, including “New Orleans: A Perilous Future” in the August 2007 issue. See a gallery of his images from that article from his hometown, and read his Field Notes about the assignment. More Weekend Photography Workshops:   Tucson Weekend Workshop 4 Days • October 13–16, October 27–30, 2011 Washington, D.C. Weekend Workshop 4 Days • June 2–5, September 8–11, October 20–23, 2011 New York City Weekend Workshop 4 Days • May 5–8, September 22–25, October 20–23, 2011 Chicago Weekend Workshop with Catherine Karnow 4 Days • May 12–15, August 11–14, September 29–October 2, 2011 San Francisco Weekend Workshop with Catherine Karnow 4 Days • May 19–22, July 21–24, October 6–9, 2011 Our Photography Expeditions are designed for photographers of all levels. You’ll learn tips and techniques while exploring fascinating places with one of our renowned photographers.   Kenya Photo Safari - New! 11 Days • July 21–31, August 1–11 Alaska's Inside Passage Photography Expedition 8 Days • May 1–8, 2011 Galápagos Photography Expedition 10 Days • May 6–15, May 13–22, November 25–December 4, December 2–11, 2011 Bhutan Photography Expedition 12 Days • September 10–21, 2011 Alaska, British Columbia, and the San Juan Islands 12 Days • September 3–14 and September 4–15, 2011 Morocco Photography Expedition 11 Days • May 6–16 and November 11–21, 2011 Costa Rica and the Panama Canal Photography Expedition 8 Days • December 3–10 and December 10–17, 2011 For more information or to book an expedition, call 1-888-966-8687 or visit us online at nationalgeographicexpeditions.com If you received this email from a friend and would like to subscribe to this or other National Geographic emails, click here. Unsubscribe | Change Email Address | Update Email Preferences | Privacy Policy | Mission Statement Click the unsubscribe link above to be removed from our email program, or send your request to… National Geographic; Attn: E-newsletter Program; 1145 17th Street N.W.; Washington, D.C. 20036 Copyright © 2011 National Geographic Society. All rights reserved. To ensure that you receive your National Geographic emails, please add ngs@newsletters.nationalgeographic.com to your address book now.