Did you think that the review for Perfect Stranger was going to be a hard-hitting examination of Bush's aversion to oversight? Salon has always done weekly movie reviews, and considering the vast majority of its articles are political in nature (including most of its blogs) I think its a bit of an over-stretch to say that it has descended into People/US Magazine hell...

Anyway, I agree with SZ that Berry has a lot of potential. But it seems that she is still at the point in her career where she needs the support of a strong director to shape her performances. As good as she was in Monsters Ball (and she was very good), she had a skilled actors director and Billy Bob Thornton to guide her. Her next interesting film is being done with Benicio Del Toro and directed by Suzanne Bier, which gives me a lot of hope that she can resurrect her reputation again.

And on Bruce Willis - as much as I am dreading Die Hard 4, this is a potentially wonderful actor who really needs a guy like Alexander Payne to write him a proper character. He has the talent to make a great late-stage character actor career if he can find the right part to tap his wit and charm (He was wonderful in a supporting role with Robert Newman in Nobodys Fool).

I was flicking through the Sunday Times, and as my eye roved around the story, i came upon Paglia's quotes about the reasons. Without having read who the quotes were attributed to, I knew precisely who was making them. Paglia's ideas are the same as she made after the Columbine massacre about the educational system 'failing' young men. She has just added the spice of her Girls Gone Wild theory. I was disappointed that the article seemed to take on board what she said with so little critical thought

I have to second your comment about Barrymore. I am not sure how consistent an actress Barrymore is (though she is excellent in some roles - Confessions of a Dangerous Mind for example) but she is a wonderful movie presence. Even when the character is unbearably cutsey, Barrymore has a vibrancy, and no-bull-shit attitude which undercuts the infantilisation when often overtakes women in romatic comedies.

...in Veronica Mars (Criminally, I havent seen the series as it is shown on a small digital channel here in the UK). Or for that matter, the late, great Buffy had some wonderful Nancy Drew style stand-alone episodes. As much as I adore Fleming's previous two films (especially The Craft - one of the great teen movies), it seems like he could have created a more rewarding modern day detective story without the Nancy Drew baggage

I thought Tristram Shandy was one of last year's best films, and though I had issues with Guantanamo, Winterbottom remains a truly exciting director.

I find it irritating that so many critics complain that they simply can't separate Jolie's celebrity status from her work on film. I happen to think she is one of the most distinctive and exciting American actresses, and a real tonic to milquetoast 'starlets' that seem to come and go so often. Jolie might have a distinct, slightly limited range, but its a range which is poorly served in American film and she projects a strength and intelligence which is thrilling when harnessed to the right role.

I echo the words of some of the other posters - I hope you kick Buchanan's ass on TV Joan.

I am writing this from London, and from this distance, the best thing to come out of the campaign thus far is Elizabeth Edwards. I find her the most inspiring political figure in America at the moment - both for the passion and intelligence of her own commitments, and also for the marvellous equality that seems to exist between herself and John. This was most driven home by their admission of a split between their attitude to gay marriage - it was a brave thing for the couple to admit that Elizabeth's position was more liberal, and then to allow that to become part of the campaign dialogue.

I have always thought that John was the best candidate, if the least likely to actually get the nomination. But what makes his candidacy even more exciting is the idea that Elizabeth could be a properly historic First Lady, even if the idea is tinged with sadness due to her illness.

I have always thought that Claire Danes would be a star since her mesmerising performance in Romeo + Juliet. I think the best thing she did was take two or three years off to go to college before coming back on screen. Her gawkiness had become something almost sensual, and her talent had matured. I am looking forward to seeing her in Matthew Vaughan's Stardust - she should make the perfect fallen star.

...or do you think Around the World in 80 Days or The Greatest Show on Earth won for merit? While Miramax became overly aggressive, in the early 90s they did a lot of good in opening up the major awards to smaller pictures outside of the studio orbit.